NASCAR BGN: New NASCAR Busch Series Racing Team Formed

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

July 17, 2001

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – NASCAR Winston Cup Series crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr. and long-time friend Eddie D’Hondt announced Monday that they are forming a new NASCAR Busch Grand National Series race team. The team is expected to begin racing in the 2002 Busch series season-opening race in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Baldwin will continue to serve as crew chief of the # 22 Caterpillar Dodge driven by Ward Burton and owned by Bill Davis Racing. He and D’Hondt will act as CO-owners of "Tommy Baldwin Racing." D’Hondt, the former general manager of both Bill Elliott Racing and Evernham Motorsports, will run the day-to-day team operations. Baldwin will call the shots at the racetrack.

Tommy Baldwin Racing is expected to set up shop in the new Talbert Point Motorsports Complex in Mooresville, N.C.

"Eddie and I have talked about doing this from the day we moved down here from Long Island, N.Y., some five years ago," said Baldwin. "We have both worked very hard at learning the sport and polishing our skills. This is a fast-paced business, and together we feel that the time is right for us to get this team started.

"We have spoken with some very talented drivers, manufacturers and crewmen who are very excited about the possibilities of the dynamic team we have the ability to put together. Right now, we are meeting with companies who have shown an interest in sponsoring this endeavor, and we will continue to do that until we have secured enough financing to be the best team in this series."

Not only does Tommy Baldwin Racing have the experience of Baldwin and D’Hondt to guide its team, it also has help from Winston Cup car owner, Bill Davis.

"We have Bill’s blessing and support, and we plan on interacting with Bill Davis Racing quite a bit," said Baldwin. "We will utilize their engineering and aerodynamic abilities, as well as purchase motors from them. I feel like this association will be a major plus for both my Winston Cup team and our new Busch team. I can’t wait to get started."

"I have always had the utmost respect for Tommy and the drive he has," added D’Hondt. "He wakes up with the ‘will to win’ everyday, and that’s what it takes to be successful in this very challenging sport. I feel like he is an excellent leader and one of the brightest young crew chiefs to come into NASCAR for quite sometime.

"Growing up together, we always made a good team. Now, we will meld my business and personnel skills together with his leadership and knowledge. Add the backing of Bill Davis and his staff, and I feel like we are going to make quite an impression in a short period of time."

Tommy Baldwin Racing is presently fielding any inquires regarding sponsorship and staffing at (704) 655-0611. The team will release further details as they develop.

Text provided by Eddie D'Hondt

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