Blaney To Make NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Debut With Heinke-Baldwin Racing
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) driver Ryan Blaney will get behind the wheel of his first modified in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) Town Fair Tire 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Blaney, who is competing part time in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) and NASCAR K&N Pro Series (NKNPS), will drive the No. 98 Mohawk Northeast Chevrolet for Heinke-Baldwin Racing (HBR), a branch of TBR. NWMT veteran Bob Mueller will lead the No. 98 team as crew chief in the event.
Blaney will make his first start in the NASCAR development series after making three NNS and six NKNPS starts. The North Carolina native collected two top-15 finishes in NNS competition, including a seventh-place finish in his series debut. He has five top-10 finishes in his six NKNPS starts, including a win at Phoenix International Raceway last season.
“I’m excited to compete in my first Modified race and to run for Al,” commented Ryan Blaney. “It should be a fun experience. The NWMT always puts on a good race in New Hampshire, and I feel like I will learn a lot.”
HBR competed full-time in the NWMT in the 2010 and 2011 seasons with Erick Rudolph piloting the No. 98 Mohawk Chevrolet. The Town Fair Tire 100 will be HBR’s first NWMT start this season. Mueller will join the team after winning back-to-back championships with Mystic Missile Racing.
“We’re excited about having Ryan race for us in the NWMT,” said HBR owner Al Heinke. “He is a great talent, and this is a great series to race in. We are glad we can support the Whelen Tour. I think it will be a good experience having Ryan’s talent in the car.”
Blaney will make his first laps at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Friday, July 13 for practice and qualifying. The Town Fair Tire 100 will be held on Saturday, July 14 at 1 p.m.
Sources: Heinke-Baldwin Racing PR