Baldwin's plans for MIS weekend unclear

BROOKLYN, Mich. -- It is unclear whether Tommy Baldwin will remain in Michigan this weekend to crew chief the No. 9 Dodge or head home to be with his grieving family in the wake of his father's death.

Tommy Baldwin

Baldwin's father, Tom Sr., was killed in a crash at Thompson International Speedway during a Featherlite modified race Thursday night. He was 57 years old.

"Tough day all the way around -- don't know what to say with Tommy's loss," Ray Evernham said Friday.

"I've known that family for a long time. His dad was a great guy, someone I'll always look up to. Just a tragic loss for the whole sport, and our thoughts and prayers are with Tommy and his family right now."

Evernham said Baldwin is working through the necessary arrangements with his family by phone from the track, but EMS competition director Sammy Johns is flying to Michigan in case Baldwin elects to leave.

Evernham said he may be a bit too far behind on the precise adjustments required on Cup cars these days, so he'll stand by to provide radio support for driver Kasey Kahne.

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"We're leaving it completely up to him," Evernham said. "I've got my airplane standing by to take him wherever he needs to go. He feels comfortable working here in this environment. He doesn't really want to be sitting alone somewhere.

"I've know Tommy since he was 10 or 11 years old, so the main thing is to give him the time to sort it out. When something like that happens there's no way in the world to prepare for it, but Tommy's doing a good job right now organizing all the arrangements and things like that.

"(This team) will rally behind him. This is a great race team with a lot of good guys. He's got his guys to support him, and they're prepared to step up to any challenge."

Baldwin led Kahne to a runner-up finish here in June.