HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Bill Davis Racing Tuesday confirmed Derrick Finley would
switch teams within the organization and serve as crew chief for Michael Waltrip
and the No. 55 NAPA Auto Parts Dodge crew.
Along with Finley, the majority of the crewmembers who worked on the No. 22
Caterpillar Dodge with former BDR driver Scott Wimmer in 2005 will move to the
No. 55 team.
"Derrick has done a good job with the No. 22 car this year," Davis said.
"Putting him and his experienced group of guys with Michael is going to make the
entire transition back into a two-car team easier for all of us.
"Derrick is a very intelligent individual and a hard worker. I am confident he,
Michael and the rest of the guys have what it takes to get the No. 55 NAPA car
up front."
Earlier this year, BDR entered into a partnership with Waltrip and NAPA to field
a second team in 2006. Davis announced last Thursday Dave Blaney had returned to
his racing organization to drive the No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge in the Nextel Cup
Series, with Kevin Hamlin joining him as crew chief. Next season will be the
first time since 2003 that Davis has fielded two full-time NASCAR Nextel Cup
teams.
"I'm really looking forward to having two teams," Finley said. "Having Blaney
and Hamlin's input is going to be valuable. I've known Hamlin for a long time.
We'll work well together (and) it's a big help to be able to take most of my
guys with me.
"We'll have our core group together with a new driver, which should help speed
everything up as far as comfort level for all of us."
A native of Albuquerque, N.M., Finley graduated from the University of New
Mexico with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1996. He was hired
right out of college by the legendary racer Dale Earnhardt to become the first
engineer employed at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI).
Finley came on board at BDR in 2003 to serve as team engineer, and then assumed
crew chief duties for the No. 22 in late 2004.
"Obviously, it's real exciting to get to work with Michael," Finley said. "I
worked with his brother [Darrell Waltrip] at DEI and had some great success in a
short amount of time with him. We expect to have the same success with Michael."
