Bill Davis Racing driver change announced

MIKE SKINNER AND JOHNNY BENSON TO SPLIT DRIVING DUTIES OF NO. 36 TOYOTA CAMRY FOR REMAINDER OF SEASON

HIGH POINT, N.C. (October 22, 2007) -- Bill Davis Racing (BDR) announced today that Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson will share driving duties of the No. 36 Toyota Camry for the remaining four events on the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup schedule. BDR and Jeremy Mayfield, who had been behind the wheel since the season began, have parted ways effective immediately.

"We wish Jeremy Mayfield the best of luck on his future endeavors," said team owner Bill Davis. "We appreciate the job he did for us this season and are glad he and Shana were a part of the Bill Davis Racing family. Jeremy is a very talented racecar driver and we all wish him nothing but success with Haas CNC Racing.

"Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson are seasoned veterans of the NEXTEL Cup Series and we are hopeful the skills and knowledge they both have acquired throughout their racing careers will help us to work toward getting the No. 36 team back on track for the reminder of this season and beyond."

Skinner, who currently leads the battle for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship in his Bill Davis Racing Toyota Tundra, will pilot the No. 36 Camry this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway and again the following weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Skinner has 244 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series starts to his credit including 10 top-five and 39 top-10 finishes.

Benson, driver of the No. 23 Toyota Tundra for BDR, will take over the reigns of the No. 36 Toyota Camry beginning with the event at Phoenix International Raceway and will finish out the season in the car. During his 272 race Cup Series career, Benson has posted 18 top-five and 58 top-10 finishes.

-credit: bdr