Bristol: Gary Bechtel joins Tommy Baldwin Racing

Gary Bechtel Becomes Co-Owner of Tommy Baldwin Racing

MOORESVILLE, NC (March 19, 2009) -- Former NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series owner, Gary Bechtel joins forces with Tommy Baldwin to become a co-owner of Tommy Baldwin Racing.

"This is an incredible opportunity that allows me to get back into racing," Bechtel said. "I am very impressed with what Tommy (Baldwin) has been able to accomplish in just three months. I love his passion and his desire to be successful on the race track. I hope to bring the last piece of the puzzle that can make TBR one of the teams to watch each week."

Bechtel knows a thing or two about running a successful NASCAR race team. In 1990, Bechtel debuted onto the NASCAR scene when he formed Diamond Ridge Motorsports.

Bobby Hamilton was slated as the first driver for Bechtel's race team. His first race was in the 1990 Coca-Cola 600. Bechtel's success on the race track didn't come until he started his NASCAR Nationwide Series program in 1995. Steve Grissom was tabbed as Bechtel's first Nationwide Series driver. In only 15 races, he notched two wins, four top-five and seven top-10 finishes.

Bechtel continued to have success in the Nationwide Series over the next five years. All told, he earned 10 wins, 30 top-five and 54 top-10 finishes in 174 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts.

At the end of the 1999 season, Bechtel sold his entire operation to Joe Gibbs and left Charlotte for California to live 70 miles outside San Francisco on a family ranch near Morgan Hill, Calif.

"I learned a lot from my past experiences," Bechtel said. "I know Tommy has the knowledge, background and technical capabilities to be successful this year and for years to come. I look forward to being an integral part of growing this team into a contender."

Baldwin is obviously pleased with the coming addition of Bechtel to his race team.

"Gary Bechtel has proven to be successful on and off the race track," Baldwin said. "He brings a track record of success to an organization that is trying to make it to the next level. This partnership shows that we are a serious race team and that we are here to stay. Gary brings instant credibility to our race team with his past successes as a business man. He also brings a passion for racing and I am very proud and excited to have him as a key partner of our team."

-credit: tbr