Kertus Davis
A tenacious NASCAR driver who turned a family legacy into a long-running underdog story on the Nationwide Series circuit.
Born 1981 (age 45)·American racing driver·Birthday: February 26·Millennials
Biography
Kertus Davis emerged from racing's gritty grassroots, the son of former NASCAR driver and team owner Gary Davis. His career was a testament to persistence in a sport dominated by mega-teams. Driving primarily for his family's team, Davis Motorsports, he became a familiar presence in what is now the Xfinity Series throughout the 2000s. He was the definition of an independent operator, often outperforming his equipment's limitations through sheer grit and track knowledge. His peak season came in 2006, where he managed a top-ten points finish, a remarkable achievement for a single-car team. After his driving career, he transitioned to the organizational side, serving as competition director for JD Motorsports, applying the hard-won lessons from his years on the track to the logistical challenges of fielding cars.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kertus was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kertus Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Kertus's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Finished 10th in the NASCAR Busch Series (now Xfinity Series) driver standings in 2006.
- Recorded a career-best finish of 4th place at the Memphis Motorsports Park in 2006.
- Competed in over 100 NASCAR national series races across a decade as a driver.
Did You Know?
He made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2007 at Bristol Motor Speedway, driving the No. 34 car for Front Row Motorsports.
His father, Gary Davis, was also a NASCAR driver who founded Davis Motorsports.
He often drove car number 0, which was associated with his family's team.
“You race with what you have, and you finish every lap on the lead lap.”
