NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
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CUP: Stewart, Baldwin Confirm ‘Partnership’
An agreement between the Stewart and Baldwin teams will guarantee Danica Patrick a starting spot in the Daytona 500…
Mike Hembree  |  Posted January 31, 2012   Charlotte, NC
Team owners Tony Stewart (Left) and Tommy Baldwin (Right) have entered into what the teams are calling a collaborative partnership. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
Stewart-Haas Racing confirmed Tuesday that it has entered into what it calls a “collaborative partnership” with Tommy Baldwin Racing, a move that will guarantee Sprint Cup rookie Danica Patrick a starting spot in next month’s Daytona 500.

Baldwin’s No. 36 car finished the 2011 season 33rd in owner points, placing the entry in the top 35 and thus guaranteeing the team a starting spot in the first five races of the 2012 season. The car, newly numbered 10, thus has a locked-in position with Patrick for the Daytona 500.

The No. 10 car technically will be a Tommy Baldwin Racing entry, although it will be built and maintained at Stewart-Haas Racing and will be overseen by SHR competition director Greg Zipadelli during the 10 races Patrick plans to run. In the 26 other events, the car will be driven by David Reutimann, and it will be handled at the track by the Baldwin team.

It’s a convoluted situation, but it guarantees Patrick a spot in the 500, and, assuming Reutimann keeps the car in the top 35 in owner points during the season, she also will have guaranteed spots in her other races. She plans to compete at Darlington and Charlotte in May, Bristol in August, Atlanta, Chicago and Dover in September and Texas and Phoenix in November, plus an additional race not yet determined. She also plans to run the full Nationwide schedule.

Dave Blaney drove the No. 36 car for Baldwin last season. Baldwin plans to enter a second car for Blaney this year.

“Partnering with Tommy and his team provides Danica with the foundation she needs to succeed,” Zipadelli said. “With a guaranteed starting spot, we can go into each weekend and simply learn. It’s all about getting her comfortable in the car, and with the variety of tracks she’s running, seat time will be incredibly valuable. A guaranteed spot in the race ensures that she’ll have the opportunity to make as many laps as possible.”

Baldwin said Patrick “will have a great teammate in Dave Blaney, who has been instrumental in getting our race team to where it is today. And with David Reutimann driving the No. 10 car in the races where Danica is not, the team will remain in a strong and competitive position throughout the year.”

Baldwin’s team was formed in 2009. Formerly a crew chief, Baldwin has five wins, including the 2002 Daytona 500 with driver Ward Burton.

Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 30 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.
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