Tommy Baldwin Racing has "sold its NASCAR Sprint Cup charter to Leavine Family Racing," according to the AP. Baldwin was "noncommittal about remaining in NASCAR in some form." Bob and Sharon Leavine have been active in NASCAR since '10 when they "became sponsors in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series." Leavine Family Racing was formed in '11 and has "grown to an organization employing 25 people with a race shop in Concord, N.C." (AP, 11/17). MOTORSPORT.com's Jim Utter noted LFR this season has "partnered with Circle Sport Racing to field one entry in the Cup series," with the "help of a charter granted" to Circle Sport Owner Joe Falk. Michael McDowell is the "primary driver of the combined No. 95 entry" (MOTORSPORT.com, 11/17). The charter transaction "goes into effect immediately, meaning that TBR driver Regan Smith will have to qualify his way" into Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. McDowell will have a guaranteed spot (AUTOWEEK.com, 11/17). USA TODAY's Jeff Gluck noted TBR's cars have "run in 391 Sprint Cup Series races with just four top-10 finishes ... unable to break through to a more competitive level." LFR is "losing sponsor Thrivent Financial after this season," but Bob Leavine "believes the acquisition of a charter will help 'provide us further stability as we look towards success in 2017 and beyond'" (USATODAY.com, 11/17).
