Getting to know Billy Davis, engine tuner for the No. 5 Chevrolet

CONCORD, N.C. - Ever walked by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage and heard one of the engines running at full speed? The roar of the Chevrolet R-07 might temporarily stall your conversation, but it receives the full attention of Billy Davis. As engine tuner for the No. 5 team, Billy is responsible for making sure the engine sounds right before the Cup competition begins. Meet Billy:

Full name: William Leonard Davis
 
Nickname: Don't think I have an official nickname, but most call me Billy.
 
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.

Team/job duties: Engine tuner for the No. 5 GoDaddy.com team.

Time at current job: 11 years.

Years in racing: 11 years.

First racing job: Engine teardown at Hendrick Motorsports.

First job overall: At Harris Teeter bagging groceries.  A lot of my friends worked there so we always found ways to make it fun.

Favorite track: Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.  
 
Best racing memory/favorite Hendrick Motorsports win: Winning the Cup race on fuel mileage Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway in 2007 with Casey Mears.  It was cool to win at a track that I had been going to since I was a kid.

Hobbies outside of racing: Motorcycles and mountain biking.
 
Favorite sport other than racing: College basketball.

On an off weekend you can find me: At home. I like to just relax and hang out with friends. 

Favorite vacation spot:  Tie between Key West and Aruba. 
 
Pets: Two crazy cats.
 
Favorite movie: “The Hangover.”

Favorite music: Old school rap and hip-hop.

Best concert you’ve ever been to: Probably a tie between Jimmy Buffet and Zack Brown Band. 

What you’ll find on my iPod: I always seem to have a lot of Eminem. 

Favorite phone app: Probably “Words With Friends.” Seems like I lose most games, but it’s still fun to play. 

My current car/dream car is:  1969 Chevrolet Camaro that I am currently trying to restore. It was my dad's car growing up, and I have so many good memories in it. Hopefully one day soon I will finish it and take Mom and Dad for a ride. 

If I could meet anyone, I’d meet: Adam Sandler. A lot of his movies are good, but his older ones are my favorite. 

Favorite food: Mexican. 

If I ran NASCAR, I’d: Look at a way to shorten some of the races. 

One thing people don’t know about me: I am scared to death of snakes and spiders.   

Best part of your job: Getting to work with such great people at Hendrick Motorsports, who have a ton of knowledge and wisdom.   

Favorite Hendrick Motorsports paint scheme: The Retro Mountain Dew paint scheme -- No. 88 Mountain Dew AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet -- that Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway in 2008.