Ryan Blaney recently shared his thoughts on the passing of Bill Davis, a longtime NASCAR team owner deeply connected to his family. Blaney highlighted how Davis and his wife, Gail, were central to his family’s life and spoke about the significant support Davis provided to many within the NASCAR community. These reflections came as Blaney remembers the personal and professional influence Davis had before his death last week.
In a video shared by CBS Sports reporter Steven Taranto on the social media platform X, Blaney talked about Davis’s role not only as the car owner for his father, Dave Blaney, but also as a family friend who maintained contact with him up until the end. Steven Taranto noted:
“Got some thoughts from Ryan Blaney on the death of Bill Davis, who was his father Dave’s car owner for many years. Says Bill & his wife Gail were a big part of the Blaney’s families lives and that he still heard from them via text before Bill’s passing last week. Blaney also noted how many people Bill Davis helped in NASCAR from drivers to crew guys. “That was tough to hear for sure … Just a guy who was amazing to everybody that unfortunately isn’t with us anymore, but made a lot of good memories with a lot of good people.”
—Steven Taranto, CBS Sports Reporter
The Personal Connection Between Blaney Family and Bill Davis
Ryan Blaney described memorable times spent with Bill and Gail Davis on their property, emphasizing the deep bond they shared. He remarked on the personal loss he felt and praised Davis’s positive influence across the NASCAR community, from drivers to crew members. Despite the distance from active racing, Blaney mentioned the ongoing communication he had with Gail and Bill, reinforcing how close they remained.
“Gail and Bill were a big part of my family’s lives, a lot of great memories with them, up on their property just getting to know them, and Bill was a huge part of a lot of drivers careers, a lot of, crew members careers and they were at the end of the day just amazing people, and I still text with Gail every now and then, Bill used to text me every now and then… it was tought to hear for sure and I still hope Gail is doing the best she can.”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver
Bill Davis’ Legacy in NASCAR
Bill Davis, who passed away at age 74, was one of NASCAR’s most accomplished team owners. He played a critical role in the sport’s development through his leadership of Bill Davis Racing. His teams achieved victories across all three national NASCAR series, with hallmark wins like the Southern 500 in 2001 and the Daytona 500 in 2002 with driver Ward Burton.
Davis’ teams also saw success in the Xfinity and Truck Series, amassing 11 and 24 wins respectively, including the 2008 Truck Series championship with Johnny Benson Jr. He was well-regarded for spotting talent early, famously giving Jeff Gordon his first ride in the Xfinity Series, where Gordon earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1991. Davis also signed Bobby Labonte and cultivated his team’s long-standing relationship with Ward Burton.
Born in Arkansas in 1951, Davis initially ran a trucking business before entering racing in 1990. He and Gail relocated to North Carolina to operate their NASCAR team, which he eventually sold in 2008. Afterwards, Davis transitioned to cattle farming. His contributions were recognized with induction into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
Ryan Blaney’s Approach to Handling Conflicts in NASCAR
Reflecting on his own racing career and approach to conflict, Ryan Blaney shared how he manages disagreements with other drivers. In 2015, Blaney explained that he prefers to resolve issues quickly, usually through face-to-face conversations. During that period, he was competing part-time across NASCAR’s top series and focused on maintaining good relations within the sport.
“I’d like to try to reach out to them as quickly as possible, whether it’s in person or a call or a text. You’d rather do it in person, but it’s hard to wait until the next week if you don’t see them,”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver
Blaney recalled a specific incident with Clint Bowyer at New Hampshire, where contact during a race led to Bowyer hitting the wall. Since Blaney was not scheduled for Cup races for the following two weeks, he opted to handle the situation via text rather than waiting or risking a poor phone connection.
“I didn’t want to call him, because the service was terrible in New Hampshire. I thought it would be worse to call him and drop the call in the middle of our talk than to send him a text. Texting somebody is kind of the last thing I want to do, but I had to do it in that situation,”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver
Throughout his career, Ryan Blaney has built a reputation for addressing on-track conflicts calmly and avoiding retaliatory payback. This balanced approach has earned him respect from fellow drivers and crew members alike.
The Enduring Influence of Bill Davis on NASCAR and the Blaney Family
Bill Davis’s passing marks the loss of a key figure in NASCAR’s modern era who not only shaped the careers of several high-profile drivers but also supported countless crew members and industry personnel. For Ryan Blaney and his family, Davis was more than a team owner; he was a trusted family friend whose influence extended beyond the racetrack.
As the NASCAR community reflects on Davis’s achievements and personal legacy, the relationships he built continue to resonate. Blaney’s ongoing respect and communication with Gail Davis show how tightly woven Davis’s family and NASCAR ties remain. Moving forward, the foundation Davis created in the sport will continue inspiring both current competitors and future generations.
