Dave Blaney and Geoff Bodine switch cars beginning with Texas II

Dave Blaney and Geoff Bodine Switch Teams for the Remainder of the Season

Dave Blaney, Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: Michael C. Johnson

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (November 2, 2011) – Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) drivers Dave Blaney and Geoffrey Bodine will swap numbers and crews starting this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway in an effort to continue to build TBR and give the team the best chance to qualify both cars for Sunday’s event.

Dave Blaney will drive the No. 35 Big Red Chevrolet and attempt to qualify for the AAA Texas 500. Geoffrey Bodine will pilot the No. 36 Luke & Associates Chevrolet and is guaranteed a starting spot in Sunday’s 501-mile race. Both cars will compete for kids to eat free in Golden Corral’s “Racing for America’s Families” promotion, where kids eat free on Monday, November 7th if either car finishes in the top-10.

The teams will keep the switch for the final two events of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season. Blaney will drive the No. 35 Golden Corral Chevrolet and attempt to qualify for both events at Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. Bodine will stay in the No. 36 Luke & Associates Chevrolet and be guaranteed a spot in both events.

Also, both cars will run “Kids Eat Free” messaging on the TV panel as they compete for the “Racing for America's Families” promotion. If Blaney or Bodine finish in the top-10 in either race, kids eat free at Golden Corral the following Monday.

“With Dave’s experience qualifying these new cars the last few years, we felt like swapping teams was best for our partners and will give us the best opportunity to get both cars in the field,” explained TBR Owner Tommy Baldwin. “We appreciate all that Dave has done this year to help the team meet our goal of finishing in the top-35 in owner points and that he has been a team player all year. Geoff hasn’t had a lot of seat time in these new Cup cars, which makes qualifying for these races even harder. I have faith in Geoff to get it done on Sunday and being able to focus on race day will reduce his learning curve.”

Geoffrey Bodine Quotes:

On Racing at Texas: “I’m excited to be locked into the race this weekend. This will give me the opportunity to get some solid seat time. I thank Dave for being willing to swap numbers and crews to give me that opportunity. Texas is a fun and fast track, and I am excited to compete this weekend.”

Dave Blaney Quotes:

On Racing at Texas: “TBR has made some good strides at the intermediate tracks this season. The chassis we are running is new from RCR, so I am really excited to get behind the wheel and see how it drives. We have to qualify for the show, so we will be really focused on that Friday. Hopefully, we make it in and then can continue working on building the intermediate program.”

Tommy Baldwin Quotes:

On the Switch: “With Dave’s experience qualifying these new cars the last few years, we felt like swapping teams was best for our partners and will give us the best opportunity to get both cars in the field. We appreciate all that Dave has done this year to help the team meet our goal of finishing in the top-35 in owner points and that he has been a team player all year. Geoff hasn’t had a lot of seat time in these new Cup cars, which makes qualifying for these races even harder. I have faith in Geoff to get it done on Sunday and being able to focus on race day will reduce his learning curve.”