NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team owner Tommy Baldwin Jr. announced Sunday that he has been diagnosed with cancer and will shut down operations of his race teams for an undetermined amount of time.
A statement from Baldwin read: “Today, I post with news that no one ever wants to hear … I have cancer. It’s treatable, but this week of racing will be the last for a while for the Tommy Baldwin Racing team. Going to take a break & begin treatment to beat it into the ground. This is not a post for pity. I want to let the world know that if you don’t feel right, go get checked out by a doctor now. Don’t wait. If I can save one life by posting this, I have done my job. Never be scared to go see the doctor – it could save your life. Take the message & share it with those you love before it’s too late. I will beat this challenge like every other. The grind begins now! Thanks to everyone for the support. See you all at the track as soon as possible. #$uckCancer”
Baldwin fields a car full-time on the Whelen Modified Tour for six-time series champion Doug Coby, who currently sits fourth in the series standings after 11 of 18 events this season. Coby has one win, five top-five’s and nine top-10’s this season.
A post on Facebook from Coby read: “A few minutes ago my car owner, crew chief, and friend publicly shared news about his recent cancer diagnosis. This is a reminder to all of us that racing is much bigger than competition on the track – it’s about family and the friendships we create and our community. My thoughts are with TB and his family as he begins treatment and I know the racing community will rally around him with nothing but love and encouragement. You got this TB and we got you!
“As far as my future competing in the remaining seven events of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, I have no comment at this time. Ask the important questions – not the ones that are irrelevant.”
Baldwin won the 2022 Whelen Modified Tour owner’s championship fielding a team with a rotating stable of drivers that included Coby, Jimmy Blewett and Mike Christopher Jr.
Baldwin fielded a part-time Whelen Modified Tour team with driver Jon McKennedy in 2018 and 2019 before going full-time with McKennedy for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Baldwin has seven Whelen Modified Tour wins as a team owner since 2018, with five of those coming in the 2022 season. McKennedy and Christopher both scored their first series victories driving for Baldwin.
Baldwin is also the competition director for the Rick Ware Racing NASCAR Cup Series team.
Baldwin is a former NASCAR Cup Series crew chief. He was the 2002 Daytona 500 winning crew chief with driver Ward Burton at Bill Davis Racing. He also fielded cars for a number of years as a team owner with the NASCAR Cup Series before returning to ownership in the ranks of Northeast Modified racing.
In addition to competing with a full-time team on the Whelen Modified Tour, Baldwin also regularly fields cars with the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series and at various other Open Modified events.
Baldwin is the son of Tom Baldwin Sr., who was killed in a crash during a Whelen Modified Tour event at Thompson Speedway on Aug. 19, 2004.
Get well.
That’s all that matters.
Praying for TB. Cancer treatment has come a long way, increasing the possibility of remmision. This is a reminder to everyone, get checked. Get well Tom, see you at the track soon.
Wishing for a speedy recovery for Tommy Jr and the TBR racing family.
“Get well.
That’s all that matters.
^^THIS^^
As Rob P remarked, cancer treatment has come a long way…..looking forward to seeing Tommy back at the track when he beats this….
I know that Tommy will do his part and fight like hell. Now is our chance to help Tommy the way he all wants us to and thats to show up to any mod race at every level from sk light or sportstsman or crate mod to wall mods and to sk mods at all 3 ct tracks all the way to tri track and r.o.c and mrs an whelen tour and the open shows staffordand Thompson and at all levels of mod racing lets put on shows like never before. Not just for Tommy but to look the devil right in his eye and spit in his face and kick cancers ass once and for all. #FightTigerTomStrong
Get well, one of the most down to earth guys ive had the pleasure of chatting with at all levels of the sport. When he conquers this challenge I always thought he would be an excellent guest on the Dale Jr. Download telling the story or his career in the sport.
GET WELL TOMMY …. Tough as they come…He will fight like hell … He will be back to support His sons coming up the open wheel ladder …!! Prayers are being sent for you Tommy…Stay Tiger Strong !!!!