Mike Bliss named to drive Tommy Baldwin Racing Cup entry in 2010
Mike Bliss has been named the full-time driver for the Tommy Baldwin Racing No. 36 NASCAR Sprint Cup entry in 2010, according to a release from sponsor Wave Energy drink.
Michael McDowell, who drove the car late in the 2009 season, will continue his marketing relationship with sponsor Wave Energy drink.
Bliss, a 44-year old native of Portland, Oregon, has 476 combined starts in the NASCAR Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series. He has 15 wins overall, with 181 top-10 finishes, 89 of them top-fives. He finished fifth in the Nationwide standings this season, driving for a variety of teams.
Bliss also drove in the International Race of Champions (IROC) Series in 2003, earning one win.
"Mike brings a lot of experience to the table and next year, we're stepping everything up," team owner Tommy Baldwin said. "He gives us the best chance to qualify for the Daytona 500 and get ourselves in the top 35 in points after the first five events of the 2010 season. I'm very excited to have him on board along with our sponsor, Wave Energy Drink."
The team is outside the top 35 in owners points, meaning that Bliss will have to qualify based on speed for the season-opening race.
McDowell, who closed out the 2009 season for Tommy Baldwin Racing, is slated to drive in several select Sprint Cup events in a Wave Energy Drink-sponsored car in 2010.
"We've got a great deal of energy coming together at the right time," Baldwin said. "Our plan is to keep Bliss and McDowell involved in our racing program and as brand ambassadors for Wave Energy Drink. Both of these guys are very talented both on the race track and off the track. Now we'll be able to take this program to the next level with our own version of the 'Mike and Mike Show.'"
