RICHARD ALLEN "RICK" BALDWIN - 06/10/1955 - 06/12/1997
Baldwin competed on the NASCAR circuit. He ran a few races each season during 1981-86; running his self owned Dodge Mirada and Chrysler Imperial. In all he raced 11 events; with the most starts coming in 1983 (5). His first start came in 1981 At College Station TX. He would start 29th and blow a motor on lap 149 finishing 21st. His best career finish would come in his second Cup start; held at Charlotte in the 1982 National 500. He would qualify and post a strong steady drive all day bringing home his #84
Aladdin Hotel home in 12th spot. His final Cup start would be at Dover in the 1986 Budweiser 500. He qualified 27th; but when his engine expired on lap 39, he would be relegated to a 34th place finish. A month later on June 14, 1986, Baldwin was substituting for the injured Buddy Arrington at the Miller American 400 at Michigan International Speedway, part of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. During qualifying, Baldwin spun and hit the wall between turns one and two driver's side first. The protective window netting failed to prevent his head from striking the wall during the impact, resulting in massive head injuries. After 11 years in a coma, Baldwin died two days after his 42nd birthday in 1997. The fatality was the first driver death in the history of Michigan International Speedway. Some info from Wikipedia
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