Champion Car Owner Profile: Bob Garbarino
One of the most successful and respected team owners in the touring series ranks, Bob Garbarino continues to build on his legacy in NASCAR Modified racing.
Garbarino’s No. 4 “Mystic Missile” Dodge is as synonymous with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour as a number like the Wood Brothers 21 is in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The Mystic, Conn., businessman began fielding a Modified in NASCAR competition in 1962, and has been a part of the New England racing scene ever since.
The competition and the style of racing is what has kept Garbarino coming back through the years.
“I think it’s the competitiveness. I’ve stayed in that series because that’s what I like to do,” Garbarino said. “I think the people at that level are real people, and that really hasn’t changed in a number of decades. The cars look a little different maybe, and some of the equipment is upgraded, but we haven’t got out of that same style of racing and that same level of involvement. It’s still a part-time thing for everybody, and it’s been kept at that semi-professional level.”
The No. 4 has featured some of the more notable names in northeast racing history through the years, but it wasn’t until 2007 when Garbarino’s Mystic Missile Racing team found a driver that took them to a title with Donny Lia. Lia earned a second title in the car in 2009 after a year’s absence from the team, and again moved on for an opportunity in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Enter Santos, who had part-time Whelen Modified Tour experience across a handful of seasons, in addition to success in various racing series including USAC. Santos was not only able to succeed, but was able to keep the champion’s trophy in Mystic again in 2010.
“When you have someone of his talent, it’s much easier to click,” Garbarino said of Santos. “There wasn’t much of a learning curve for him. We didn’t get any smarter [from previous seasons], but I guess we didn’t forget anything, so that’s how it happens.”
Santos, who had not run for a championship in any series during his racing career, greatly appreciated the opportunity Garbarino presented to him last winter.
“He’s a lot of fun to drive for,” Santos said of Garbarino. “He does a good job of putting the best car possible on the race track, which means a lot. He’s definitely one of those car owners that isn’t about the money. He’s there to win, and I think it shows.”
Sources: Jason Cunningham/NASCAR WMT PR