Rick Ware Racing, which fields the No. 15 and No. 51 Ford Mustangs on a full-time basis in the NASCAR Cup Series, has named former team owner and 2002 Daytona 500 winning crew chief Tommy Baldwin, as the organization's new Competition Director.
The organization officially announced the personnel change - which took effect prior to last weekend's event at Bristol Motor Speedway - on Thursday, as the team heads to Martinsville Speedway with JJ Yeley and Zane Smith behind the wheel of its two entries.
“What I like about Rick Ware is he’s a racer, pure and simple,” said Baldwin. “If it goes fast on two or four wheels, he wants to be part of it in some capacity. I’m a third-generation racer and understand what it’s like to run and operate a team. I’ve known Rick and Robby a long time and this is a role I’m looking forward to with the team.”
Baldwin brings a wealth of experience to his new position as Competition Director, having spent a decade as owner of Tommy Baldwin Racing, as well as nearly 25 years as a crew chief at NASCAR's top-level, which netted him five victories.
“My immediate goals are to see how we can improve now, and how it can continue growing into the future. This team has a lot of determination and talent, we just need to start putting the numbers on the board to show it all.”
Baldwin's last role as crew chief in the NASCAR Cup Series came in 2020, when he launched Tommy Baldwin Racing for a part-time effort, with JJ Yeley, Reed Sorenson, and others.
“Tommy [Baldwin] and I had discussed him joining us before, but we didn’t have the tools, infrastructure, and support in place like we do currently,” said Rick Ware, owner of Rick Ware Racing. “Now we have what’s needed to utilize someone with his racing pedigree. This is a healthy move for our team and he’s already making an impact with all he brings to Rick Ware Racing.”
Both the No. 15 and No. 51 entries are expected to have multiple drivers occupy the driver's seat throughout the remainder of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Photo Credit: Gavin Baker, Courtesy of Ford Performance
