Tommy Baldwin Jr. announced today that he will no longer serve as competition director for Rick Ware Racing (RWR). The former crew chief stepped down after beginning the role in April 2023, citing misaligned expectations with owner Rick Ware.
Baldwin’s departure comes after a long ceremony on the Door Bumper Clear podcast.
Baldwin explained that the decision was mutual and would not affect his friendship with the team’s owner. “We decided, Rick and I, that our expectations were not aligned anymore,” he said.
New focus on family racing aspirations
Following the departure, Baldwin plans to dedicate more time to his sons, Jack and Luke, both of whom are pursuing racing careers. He intends to chart his next steps after a brief hiatus, allowing him to “figure out what the next options are,” while also relaxing with friends and family.
RWR’s standing during Baldwin’s tenure
Under Baldwin’s guidance, RWR has finished 17th in the full‑time owner standings for the 2026 season, the last position among all full‑time teams. No successor has yet been announced for the competition director role.
Baldwin’s three‑decade NASCAR résumé
Since 1997, he has worked as a crew chief for 630 Cup races, securing five victories—four with Ward Burton between 2000‑2002 and one with Kasey Kahne in 2005.
From 2009 to 2020, Baldwin owned his own Cup team and was part of NASCAR’s original Charter Agreement in 2016. The team recorded two top‑five finishes and four top‑ten results in 425 races, though it never captured a win.
Luke Baldwin’s rookie seasons
Luke made his debut in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series earlier this year and has competed in several runs in the Craftsman Truck Series, continuing the Baldwin racing lineage.
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