Sadler-Stanley Racing, owned by former NASCAR driver and FOX Television personality Hermie Sadler and Virginia State Senator Bill Stanley, announced today that the team will honor longtime NASCAR Owner and Crew Chief Tommy Baldwin at Martinsville Speedway this Thursday night, October 26, during the running of the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Race.
Baldwin, who has had a very successful career in NASCAR, is also known for his strong family ties to Open Wheel Modified Racing. He’s been responsible for helping launch many careers, not only in the Northeastern US racing series, but also in NASCAR in North Carolina. Baldwin was recently diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing treatment, so he has been absent from the track.
Sadler Stanley Racing will honor Baldwin by running the famed 7NY number on one of their team cars, driven by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Labonte, at Martinsville this week.
“I think it’s just great that our race team decided to do this,” said Labonte. “I have known Tommy (Baldwin) for a really long time, and this is a great way to honor him. He means so much to NASCAR, especially the modified series, where he has always had a passion. Tommy has impacted to so many people out here, it’s remarkable. We are all praying for him and wishing him good health.”
“It’s just the right thing to do,” Team Co-Owner Hermie Sadler said. “Tommy Baldwin and his family are synonymous with Modified Racing and the No. 7NY needs to be on the track. Plus, Tommy has been a part of many people’s careers in NASCAR, including mine and my brother Elliott’s, and we want to honor him.”
“Tommy Baldwin is a racing hero and legend to us all, and it is both fitting and appropriate to not only re-fit our Sadler/Stanley Racing Pace-O-Matic No. 18VA race car with the ‘fightin’ 7NY,’ but also to have another racing legend, Bobby Labonte, behind the wheel to carry it to victory at the championship NASCAR® Whelen Modified race Thursday night,” said Senator Stanley. “While Tommy might not be with us at the track on this night, the track, the racers, and the fans will all be with him as the 7NY car races at Martinsville Speedway.”
“Simply put, Tommy is more than a customer – he is family,” said Phil Stephanelli of PSR Products. “He is a racer’s racer and one of the toughest guys you will ever meet. His ties with PSR run deep. Our crew chief, Neal Cantor, and his family have raced with the Baldwin family since the 80s. Tommy has played a role in the success of all of our PSR teams, and we wanted to do something to let him know how big his support group really is. We are also excited to have some of the Tommy Baldwin Racing crew on hand to help us go chase a Martinsville victory for the No. 7NY and Tommy.”
After the race, Sadler-Stanley Racing will auction off the sheet metal on the car to raise money and awareness for the Baldwin family’s initiatives and Tommy’s fight against cancer.
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