8/20/2004

"TIGER" TOM BALDWIN PASSES AWAY AFTER RACING ACCIDENT

Thompson, CT: Tragedy struck the Thompson International Speedway Thursday night. The high banked 5/8 mile oval in northeast Connecticut was hosting the Budweiser 150 presented by the New England Dodge Dealers. Ten laps into the 150 lap event, a multicar accident involving Tom Baldwin, Gregg Shivers, Ronnie Silk and Steve Whitt occurred in turn 3. The accident claimed the life of NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series (FMS) veteran Tom Baldwin. The Baldwin Racing team's efforts were supported by the Virginia Motor Speedway and Sunoco Race Fuels. 

The East Patchogue, New York driver was celebrating his fourth decade in auto racing this season. Among his accomplishments during his long and storied career are four championships (1988, 1994, 1996, and 1997) in February Modified Speedweeks competition at Florida's New Smyrna Speedway. He garnered six checkered flags from 1986-1996 (tied for 19th on the all-time FMS win list with fellow Long Island driver Charlie Jarzombek and reigning FMS champion Todd Szegedy) behind the wheel of a NASCAR Featherlite Modified with his last victory coming at the September 29, 1996 Stafford, CT 300 event. He won twice in FMS Martinsville, VA action during the 1988 season. Tommy's best FMS season was when he finished 3rd in the 1992 final points behind champion Jeff Fuller. He also scored Modified victories at Islip, Riverhead, and Westhampton (all located on New York's Long Island) and New Jersey's New Egypt Speedway. He had over 35 career Modified victories. Just last season, Baldwin was the recipient of the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series Most Popular Driver Award. 

"Tiger" Tom Baldwin leaves behind his wife Karen, son Tom Jr. (NASCAR Nextel Cup crew chief for Kasey Kahne and a NASCAR Busch Series team owner), and daughter Tammy. Tom Baldwin was 57 years old. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family, friends and fans of Tom Baldwin during this difficult time. God's Speed Tom Baldwin. 

Source:  Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com
Additions: Mark Southcott/NYRaceZone.com
Posted:  August 20, 2004