Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 22, 1993 TAG: 9305210323
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Long
Jim Davis raced in the Sportsman Division at old Pulaski County Speedway from 1957 to 1971.
A few years ago, he and his wife, Marie, moved back to the New River Valley from Florida and got involved in racing again.
Now the Plum Creek residents own the cars their sons Garry and Barry drive to carry on the family tradition. And the brothers are driving their stock cars at the same place - now called the New River Valley Speedway - and in the same division - Pure Stock - that their father raced.
The Davis boys' involvement with racing dates to before Garry, the older brother, was born.
"We didn't have any insurance," said Jim Davis. "We paid for his doctor bills with the money I won racing. So he's been around racing all his life."
Jim Davis was a top runner in the Sportsman Division on the old Pulaski dirt track, finishing as high as third in the points one season. Later he raced in the Modified Division and had some strong finishes. Some of his contemporaries included Curtis Turner, Jabe Thomas (Ronnie Thomas's father) and Paul Radford.
About the time his father retired, Garry Davis began his own racing career.
"He started out in go-karts," Jim Davis said.
"And racing on the back roads in the county against friends," added Garry, who lives in Christiansburg.
Garry Davis, 34, started his formal auto racing career in 1988. He has run at tracks throughout the region - Lonesome Pine, Natural Bridge, Franklin County. Over the past couple of years, he has shown steady progress as a race driver. And last season, he finished fourth in the Pure Stock division standings at New River Valley Speedway.
"That old car has run a lot of races," Garry Davis said, pointing to his 1981 Chevrolet Camaro. It's No. 71, sponsored by Southern Classic Car Wash, Dr. Frank L. Schwartz, Harvey Chevrolet, Sal's Pizza of Christiansburg, Park Realty and S.K. Entertainment.
This season, Barry Davis, 29, has joined the fray. He had raced some in Alabama before moving to Christiansburg. And he has subbed for his brother on occasion. So Barry Davis was ready to start driving on a regular basis.
"I had a feeling I couldn't get rid of until I got into a race car," he said. "Racing is like a fever. If I can't race, I really can't go to the track. If I was told I couldn't race, it would make me sick."
Barry Davis credits his brother for developing his interest in racing. After all, Garry Davis did build the car Barry drives.
"I built that seven or eight years ago for a friend," said Garry, pointing to the 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS that bears No. 77. Its sponsors are Turman Lumber, West Trucking and D.W.'s Carpet Service. "Then we got it back. And we've spent some time to build it back."
That car even has its own name - The Lead Sled - so dubbed because it had about 500 pounds of lead in the rear end when the Davis' got it.
As their sons race each week, their parents work in the pits to make sure everything is ready.
"We keep an eye on them," said Marie Davis. "It keeps them out of trouble. And everyone has something to do during the race."
Marie Davis is no stranger to the racing experience, either. Several years ago, she jumped into Garry's car and drove a race in the Family Car division at Franklin County. She finished third after starting 11th.
Now she and her husband are enjoying the role of race-car owner.
"We own both cars, but they do most of the work on them," said Jim Davis. "Garry is a top mechanic. And Barry is trying to learn."
Marie defined the parents' role more succinctly: "We pay the expenses."
About the only member of the family not directly involved in racing is Garry and Barry's brother, Larry. But Larry Davis, 32, comes to the speedway every weekend to cheer his brothers on.
So far, he and the rest of the family have had plenty to cheer about. Garry has had a third- and three fourth-place finishes in four races. He's second in the division's point standings.
Barry stands 13th in points. His top finish was a 10th.
And both brothers have escaped injuries in crashes that have necessitated major repairs.
But nothing has gotten them down. Both have set goals for this season and beyond.
Garry Davis is seeking more sponsors and exploring the possibility of moving up to the Limited Sportsman division next year.
"We'll see if we can get enough money," he said. "Then we'll buy an old late-model car and move to limited. That's the only way to do it if we're going to do it."
Barry Davis is looking for continued improvement in his first season.
"I've been trying to break into the 19-second [range] in qualifying and I got that goal," he said. "My goal now is to to finish in the top 10 in points. It will have been a good year for us if I'm able to do that."
Whether they accomplish those goals or not, they have succeeded in keeping alive the family tradition.
And another generation of Davis racers may be in the offing.
Garry Davis' three sons - Jason, 13, and 10-year old twins Jon and Chris - also have found roles at the races.
"We don't have a lot of help," said Garry Davis. "It's me, my dad and my brother, and that makes it rough. So they [the boys] help me. They're in the garage all the time. That saves me a lot of time."
During a race, Jason Davis also plays another valuable role - keeping track of his father's car.
"I knew a lot about racing, but I didn't know what it was going to be like," he said about scoring the car. "I just had to see what happened. I thought maybe something might get me in trouble."
And just like his grandfather, father and uncle, Jason Davis wants to drive.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING PROFILE
by CNB