Tommy Baldwin Racing ready for Richmond II

Blaney and Leicht to Swap Rides at Richmond
Blaney to drive No. 35 Pepsi Max Chevrolet; Leicht to drive No. 36 Golden Corral Chevrolet

Dave Blaney, Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (September 7, 2011) – In an effort to put the team’s best foot forward, Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) will swap drivers for the event at Richmond International Raceway this weekend. Veteran NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dave Blaney will pilot the No. 35 Pepsi Max Chevrolet and attempt to qualify for the Wonderful Pistachios 400. Rookie Stephen Leicht will wheel the No. 36 Golden Corral Chevrolet in the 400-mile event.

Both cars will be competing for kids to eat free in Golden Corral’s “Racing for America’s Family” promotion, in which kids eat free on Monday, September 12th if either car finishes in the top-10.

In preparation for the race at Richmond International Raceway, the TBR No. 35 team tested with Leicht during two sessions at Gresham Motorsports Park. Blaney attended the first session with the team. Both drivers showed good speed. Leicht showed improvement during the second test session, and the team is confident he can have a good run next weekend.

“With Dave’s 14 years of experience in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and his proven ability to qualify for races, we felt like swapping cars was best for our partners and will give us the best opportunity to get both cars in the field,” explained TBR owner Tommy Baldwin. “I have full confidence in Stephen’s abilities, and he was very successful at the test. We just didn’t want his inexperience in Cup cars to affect both cars making the event.”

“Both drivers are team players and understand how important it is for the future of TBR for both cars to make the field this weekend,” continued Baldwin. “Dave is a standup guy and understands that giving Stephen the opportunity to show his talent in a TBR racecar will help our team’s future.”