Baldwin Killed in Conn. Speedway Crash

THOMPSON, Conn. Aug 20, 2004; The AP reported that race car driver Tommy Baldwin was killed in a crash at Thompson International Speedway during a Featherlite modified race.

Baldwin, 57, of Moriches, N.Y., is the father of Tommy Baldwin Jr., the crew chief for Nextel Cup rookie star Kasey Kahne. The elder Baldwin died at Hubbard Hospital in Webster, Mass., after Thursday night's accident.

"He's a great guy, someone we all looked up to," Ray Evernham, Kahne's car owner, said from Brooklyn, Mich., site of this weekend's Nextel Cup race. "It's just a tragic loss for the whole sport."

Tommy Baldwin Sr. tried to avoid a collision with several cars coming out of a turn, state police said. His car went into the infield and struck three cement blocks near a light post.

State police said Baldwin's car was struck by a second car, driven by Ronald Silk, that had gone out of control and ended up in the infield. The 150-lap NASCAR (news - web sites) race was postponed after 10 laps because of the accident and late hour.

Police said they would work in with NASCAR officials in the investigation. Both vehicles were taken to the state police barracks in Danielson.