NASCAR Cup Series
Tyler Reddick Overcomes Multiple Challenges, Wins at Darlington
Mar 22, 2026
Luke Baldwin will make his NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series debut on Saturday, March 28, competing with Hettinger Racing in the NFPA 250.
Baldwin, a two-time champion with the SMART Modified Tour, will pilot the No. 5 Victory Custom Trailers Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Hettinger Racing at Martinsville this Saturday.
“With all that Luke has achieved of late, a lot of people have their eyes on him. We’re proud to be the ones he chose to make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut,” said team owner Chris Hettinger.
“The O’Reilly Series is a big step up, but Martinsville is a flat and fast short track, and it’s the kind of place where Luke has excelled. He’s proven he can adapt quickly and run up front driving all kinds of cars. Martinsville is the right track and this is the right time for Luke to have this opportunity.”
While it will be Baldwin's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series debut, he is no stranger to Martinsville Speedway. In 2024, the third-generation racer qualified second and finished seventh in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season finale at the Virginia facility. He has also competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Martinsville.
Baldwin's grandfather, Tommy Baldwin, Sr., is a two-time Modified Tour winner at Martinsville. Tommy Baldwin, Jr., who is now the competition director for Rick Ware Racing's NASCAR Cup Series team, served as crew chief for both of his father's wins.
“Martinsville has always meant a lot to my family, so to have my own opportunity at the track is definitely special,” Baldwin said. “It’s a place where I have a decent level of comfort in terms of feel and what I need in the racecar to make a fast lap. It’s tight, it’s physical, and you have to race smart to be there at the end. I’ve been fortunate to have some good experiences there already, so the goal is to lean on that and keep learning throughout the race.”
Baldwin made five Craftsman Truck Series starts in 2025, and plans to expand to a 12-race schedule with Team Reaume. That schedule begins next weekend at Rockingham Speedway.
“This is a really good way to head into Rockingham,” Baldwin said. “The O’Reilly Series is a step up in competition, and Martinsville is a place that really challenges you as a driver. There’s a lot to learn in a short amount of time, and that’s how it’ll be at Rockingham, too. A solid weekend at Martinsville is the best preparation for next week’s Truck race.”
The NFPA 250 takes the green flag on Saturday, March 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET. Coverage of the event will be on the CW Network, the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
-Photo credit: Peter Casey, NKP for Ford Racing
