[Havax]

Bill and Gail Davis posed for the pictures, accepted the congratulations and stood on the Seminole Hard Rock Casino stage as owners of the championship-winning team during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series awards banquet Monday night. But while they readily accepted the accolades, there was something else on their minds. In the midst of perhaps Bill Davis Racing’s greatest moment, there was anger, frustration and maybe a little bitterness. The Davises are upset with Johnny Benson, who won the 2008 drivers championship for BDR, accusing Benson of going back on his word to them earlier this season when he privately told them he was retiring after the 2008 season. But Benson said he isn’t quitting and added that he hadn’t made up his mind when he told Davis he would be leaving the team at the end of the season. So while the Truck series banquet seemed peaceful and joyous, it was hardly that.
“There are some circumstances here that makes this a little harder, Johnny leaving and not telling us that he’s leaving..., ” Bill Davis said after the banquet. “It makes it a little hard to really enjoy like you would want to. It’s not the way you’d expect to be treated from someone that you’ve done a pretty damn good job for for four years. We never insisted on a contract; he didn’t want one. We just had a handshake. That was good enough for him, good enough for us. You know, that’s OK. We will improve, we’ll come back with a stronger [No.] 23 truck next year and continue winning races.”
Benson said he “didn’t have a plan” when he first decided not to return to BDR’s Truck team next year.
“I wanted to make sure he could move forward and do the things he needed to do to make sure that the 23 will be strong again next year,” Benson said. “When that had come around and I decided that's what I was doing, it's kind of hard to step back and say, ‘Hold on, I don't want that now.’ Or, ‘Hey, I still want my ride back or whatever.’(scenedaily.com)

[Bob Tanner]

We now have a forum dedicated to the Truck Series. This one has been discussed.

FWIW, I think Johnny B. saw the handwriting on the wall, BDR-wise, and decided to bail.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Havax

We never insisted on a contract; he didn’t want one. We just had a handshake. That was good enough for him, good enough for us.

Maybe this is part of Bill's problem.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by jks812

Maybe this is part of Bill's problem.

I guess that, at the end of the day, you're probably right. But I fine it hard to criticize a man who still believes in honor and integrity, not lawyers and contracts. In fact, I down right admire someone who deals from that position.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I guess that, at the end of the day, you're probably right. But I fine it hard to criticize a man who still believes in honor and integrity, not lawyers and contracts. In fact, I down right admire someone who deals from that position.

Oh I wasn't criticizing him for it. I think it's a shame that more folks don't do that way.

[Iris]

Gosh, that was a sticky situation. BD was angry because JB didn't talk to him, but I get the feeling the JB didn't see much future with BDR! And frankly, I can't blame Johnny.

I must give props to Johnny. Before the banquet, he was on Sirius, and was asked about where he was going. He refused to talk about it, and said that it was not the right time. He felt that it was a great time to honor his team and his owners, and he had nothing good to say about Bill and Gail.

His comments, in my mind, were much more professional that the 'airing of dirty laundry' we heard from BDR on the night of the Banquet.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Iris

Gosh, that was a sticky situation. BD was angry because JB didn't talk to him, but I get the feeling the JB didn't see much future with BDR! And frankly, I can't blame Johnny.

I must give props to Johnny. Before the banquet, he was on Sirius, and was asked about where he was going. He refused to talk about it, and said that it was not the right time. He felt that it was a great time to honor his team and his owners, and he had nothing good to say about Bill and Gail.

His comments, in my mind, were much more professional that the 'airing of dirty laundry' we heard from BDR on the night of the Banquet.

I'm hoping you dropped the 'but' between "nothing" and "good" .. 'cause what I read about his remarks, the 'but' was there.

[Iris]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I'm hoping you dropped the 'but' between "nothing" and "good" .. 'cause what I read about his remarks, the 'but' was there.

Whoops! You are right! I forgot the but, but.....well, if I continue to hang out here...you might see more of that. I think my brain works faster than my fingers can type! You seem pretty good at reading Iris-ese! Thanks for catching that!

I have nothing but respect for Johnny. And a bit more respect for Johnny than I have for Bill Davis!

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Iris

Whoops! You are right! I forgot the but, but.....well, if I continue to hang out here...you might see more of that. I think my brain works faster than my fingers can type! You seem pretty good at reading Iris-ese! Thanks for catching that!

I have nothing but respect for Johnny. And a bit more respect for Johnny than I have for Bill Davis!

They're both good guys .. just got on different tracks. Bill should have saved his remarks for later after he'd had time to think about them.

[Iris]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

They're both good guys .. just got on different tracks. Bill should have saved his remarks for later after he'd had time to think about them.

Agreed! Bill making his comments during the banquet interviews did not come off as particularly savvy.