Baldwin to field Sprint Cup team in 2009

Jan 7, 2009 - 2:46 PM MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (Ticker) - Tommy Baldwin, a five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup and former Daytona 500 winning crew chief, announced the formation of a new Sprint Cup Series race team that will compete full time in 2009.

Baldwin, 41, announced Tuesday that Tommy Baldwin Racing will field Toyotas and plans to be ready for the 51st running of the Daytona 500 in February. Sponsorship has yet to be determined.

The veteran crew chief won the Daytona 500 with Ward Burton in 2002, and has also has worked atop the box for Bill Davis Racing, Robert Yates Racing, Evernham Motorsports and Ultra Motorsports.

"With tough economic times upon us, the timing for starting this team is right," Baldwin said. "Our overhead is low and we have a great group of talented mechanics and specialists to choose from.

"We can offer sponsors the chance to get into NASCAR Sprint Cup racing at a fraction of the costs, without compromising on-track performance, due to our low overhead."

Baldwin is no stranger to team ownership as he formed a successful Nationwide program. He later sold the team to what is now known as Gillette-Evernham Motorsports.

The native of Bellport, New York began his involvement in racing by growing up in the Modified circuits of the Northeast where his father, Tommy Baldwin Sr., was a mainstay.