Barrett Back Home Again at Stafford

By admin June 6, 2014 NASCAR WMT, New London-Waterford, Stafford

Tommy Barrett, Jr. of Millis, MA enters the TSI Harley-Davidson 125 looking to return to his prior success at Stafford Motor Speedway. Tonight’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race has been postponed twice since May 23. Barrett was among the fastest in practice and qualified seventh; Spring Sizzler winner Bobby Santos, III will lead the field to the green.

Barrett won his first pole for the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler, leading eight laps before finishing 11th. The 19-year-old rookie replaced seven time champion Mike Stefanik in the Robert B. Our Co./Canto & Sons Paving #22 for Our Racing. This is Barrett’s second full season since 2009.

Stafford is a familiar track for Barrett, who won 14 SK Light Modified races in 2010-11. He is the only driver to record multiple VMRS wins at the historic half-mile. He made his NASCAR WMT debut  and won his first pole in only his fourth start.

Barrett made 35 Valenti Modified Racing Series starts in the last three seasons. Barrett was the series’ leading winner in 2012-13. Barrett’s lone full season netted him victories at Stafford, Canaan and Lee USA en route to a second place finish in the standings. His first start of the season last week at Thompson ended in victory lane.

The opportunity to drive for Our came together after the World Series last fall.

“We were in contact with Chris (Our) and Brad (Lafontaine) for a little while after the World Series,” Barrett said. “Then my dad and I met with them and discussed running next year.”

“I don’t really know Mike personally, but I have a lot of respect towards him as far as what he has done in and for the sport over all these years he’s been a part of the Whelen Modified Tour,” Barrett said.

“I don’t have any specific goals or expectations, but with this great team and equipment we are just going to go out there and win as many races as possible,” Barrett said.

“Having Chris and Brad behind me is definitely an advantage for me,” Barrett said. “Brad is the best of the best with these Troyer cars and I can’t thank Chris enough for giving me this opportunity to be behind the wheel of his racecar.”

Barrett finished sixth in the UNOH Battle at the Beach at Daytona International Speedway. Barrett made six starts at New Smyrna Speedway’s World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing with a pair of podiums finishes.

“We really didn’t have a terrible week,” Barrett said. “Things just didn’t go our way and we didn’t have any luck. The car was better than results so we aren’t that bummed out… Even though we didn’t get results we wanted, (the) crew chief and (the) owner are happy.”

Barrett’s favorite track was not kind to him during Icebreaker weekend. A practice crash forced Barrett to a backup car and starting last at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. Barrett ran as high as sixth before ignition problems ended his day.

Barrett began his career in Quarter Midgets before moving to the Allison Legacy North Racing Series in 2008. After six ALNRS victories in 2009, Barrett drove an SK Light Modified at Stafford. Barrett finished second in points despite missing a race due to minimum age requirements. Eight wins in a nine race span gave Barrett the points lead entering the season finale, but a crash dropped him to second. He was crowned the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Division III champion.

Barrett missed races in 2011 due to an off track injury. He also finished in the top 10 in his Valenti Modified Racing Series debut.

For the Record: A charter member of the tour, Stafford hosts four races annually. Only five drivers won their first race in 111 races: NEAR Hall of Famer Brian Ross (1985), George Brunnhoelzl, Jr. (1986), 1990 champion Jamie Tomaino (1986), 2012 champion Doug Coby (2006), and James Civali (2006).

Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com