Catchfence

2011 NSCS Dave Blaney - Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR

Race: Kobalt Tools 500
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: 35 of 36
Track: Phoenix International Raceway
Track Length: 1 mile
Date: November 13, 2011

Dave Blaney will return to the No. 35 Golden Corral Chevrolet this weekend and attempt to qualify for the Kobalt Tools 500. This will mark Tommy Baldwin Racing’s (TBR) second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) start at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR).

CHASSIS NO. 293 – Blaney will pilot the No. 293 chassis this weekend. Blaney drove the chassis at Kentucky Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the fall event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway in October. Stephen Leicht also piloted the chassis this season at Richmond International Raceway September 10th. TBR purchased the chassis from Richard Childress Racing where Jeff Burton drove the chassis prior to its debut with TBR.

TEAM SWAP – TBR drivers Blaney and Geoffrey Bodine swapped numbers and crews at Texas Motor Speedway in an effort to continue to build TBR and give the team the best chance to qualify both cars for the remainder of the season. Dave Blaney will drive the No. 35 Golden Corral Chevrolet and attempt to qualify for the Kobalt Tools 500. Geoffrey Bodine will pilot the No. 36 Luke & Associates Chevrolet and is guaranteed a starting spot in Sunday’s 312-mile race.

MEET DAVE AT GOLDEN CORRAL – Blaney will make an appearance at the Goodyear, Ariz., Golden Corral located at 420 North Dysart Roadon Friday, November 12th from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Golden Corral driver will be on hand to sign autographs and take pictures with fans.

TBR at Richmond:
Five NSCS Starts
Best Start: 32nd | November 2010 | Dave Blaney
Best Finish: 36th | April 2009 | Scott Riggs

Last TBR Event:
AAA Texas 400 | Texas Motor Speedway:
Blaney qualified into the AAA Texas 500 in the No. 35 Big Red Chevrolet with the 35th-fastest qualifying time. He drove to the 31st position before a flat tire forced him to pit on lap 44. The flat tire caused the sway bar to break off the Chevrolet, and the TBR crew worked in the garage to fix it. Eleven laps later, Blaney returned to the track. Stuck on his own lap for the remainder of the 501-mile event at Texas Motor Speedway, the No. 35 Big Red Chevrolet finished 35th, 18 laps down.

Dave Blaney at Richmond
17 NSCS Starts:
Top-10 Finishes: 2 (2002, 2000)
Best Start: 5th | Bill Davis Racing | Nov. 2002
Best Finish: 7th | Bill Davis Racing | Nov. 2002
Last Start: 43rd | Tommy Baldwin Racing | Feb. 2011
Last Finish: 42nd | Tommy Baldwin Racing | Feb. 2011

Two Chances for Kids To Eat Free:

Bodine will join Blaney in his season-long effort to tally top-10 finishes. If either driver finishes in the top-10 this weekend in Phoenix, kids eat free (with an adult purchase) on Monday, November 14th. Golden Corral will also donate $5,000 to the DAV.

Local Golden Corral Locations
420 North Dysart Road, Goodyear, Ariz. | 7 mi. from PIR
7609 West Thomas Road, Phoenix, Ariz. | 13 mi. from PIR
5679 W. Northern Avenue, Glendale, Ariz. | 21 mi. from PIR
17674 N Litchfield Drive, Surprise, Ariz. | 25 mi. from PIR

In The Points: Blaney is still 32nd in NSCS Driver Points. He is 77 points ahead of Andy Lally and trailing Casey Mears by 30 points.

Qualify for the Show: The No. 35 Golden Corral Chevrolet will have to qualify for the Kobalt Tools 500. There are 46 entries for the event. Blaney will compete against Robby Gordon, Travis Kvapil, Andy Lally, Michael McDowell, Joe Nemechek, Scott Riggs, Mike Skinner, Scott Speed, David Stremme, and Cole Witt for the eight available starting positions.

Racing: It’s a Family Affair: Blaney’s son Ryan Blaney will compete this weekend in his family-owned No. 11 Accell Construction/Ruston Transport Chevrolet in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at PIR. Blaney and his son work on the car together in their Salisbury, N.C., shop. The Casino Arizona 125 will mark Ryan Blaney’s third start in the series.

Dave Blaney Quotes:

On Racing at Phoenix: “I like going out to Phoenix. There was a good dirt track out there that we used to run, and we always had a good time there. We’ll be running one of my favorite cars, and I’m excited to keep working with Mike Shiplett. I’m also looking forward to seeing the new layout. All the notes from the past won’t matter; it will be a brand new track, so that helps to level the playing field a bit. I’m excited to see Ryan race on Saturday in the K&N race. He’s done well in the other two events he ran in that series, and I’m glad I’ll be there to see it.”

Tommy Baldwin Quotes:

On This Weekend: “I’m excited for this weekend. We came here for the test a few weeks ago and made some strides. I really like the new layout. Hopefully, we can get both cars in the show like last week.”

Lighthouse Mission:

The Lighthouse Mission logo debuted on the No. 36 Golden Corral Chevroletat Daytona International Speedway and will be present for the entire 2011 season. TBR has teamed up to help the Long Island based charity build awareness and raise funds for Lighthouse Mission. For more information on Lighthouse Mission, visit www.lighthousemission.net.

- Tommy Baldwin Racing, Press Release