This week has been a series of highs and lows for California extreme sports enthusiast Stanton Barrett. His high came when he announced his move to the Indy Car series in 2009. But his exciting announcement was overshadowed by one of the lowest moments in his life, the loss of his mentor and godfather Paul Newman.
Barrett is one of the most multi-talented sports enthusiasts ever. He was born on
December 1, 1972 in Bishop, California. His immediate family and heredity has played a mighty role in his sports interests and developing expertise.
Stanton’s grandfather, Dave McCoy, was an avid skier and coached the US Olympic Team. His mother, Penny, was also a champion skier, and a member of the US Olympic Team.
Father Stan was a stunt man in Hollywood, and also a race car driver. He was the first person to beat the speed of sound in a car. He raced in the then Winston Cup series for ten years, from 1980 to 1990. Stan Barrett was also good friends with Paul Newman, who encouraged his racing career and Hollywood endeavors.
With this genetic background, it was only a matter of time before young Stanton Barrett became involved in athletics. He began go kart racing as a boy, winning 21 of the 28 races in which he was entered.
Barrett then moved on to make his NASCAR racing debut in 1992 in the then Busch series (now Nationwide series). For his very first race, he started on the outside pole.
But the years after that brilliant start have not been so kind to Barrett. He has moved from team to team and struggled to retain critical sponsorship dollars. Barrett bounced from the Nationwide to the Cup series, trying to find that one ride that would get him into the show on a full-time basis.
In 2005, Stanton attempted to run another part-time Cup schedule under the banner of Front Row Motorsports. When that endeavor failed, he reconstituted the team under his own name, Stanton Barrett Motorsports.
From 2006 to 2007, Barrett continued to struggle, trying to make races and find sponsorship dollars. This year, he decided to run a limited schedule of four races for his own team in the Nationwide series.
7 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
S M Napier 9 months ago
Nice article Mary Jo, wasn't aware of the extent of his charitable work. Stanton a great individual, he's quite the hollywood stuntman and one of the best at it. He funded his Cup car from his stunt work, but would have loved to see what he could have done in a RCR, DEI in the Mikey & Junior era, Hendrick's or Gibbs car. Definitely will be watching the IndyCar to see how he does
Edit Comment Cancel
Mary Jo Buchanan 9 months ago
Thanks Mike. I had the pleasure of sitting next to him on the pit wall at Dover a year or so back. No one was talking to him and he was absolutely delightful. I had heard about his switch to Indy but did not know about his relationship to Paul Newman - your tribute inspired that connection. I knew he was into extreme sports but didn't know of his charitable commitment. I understand that he often takes what he makes as a stunt man and puts it back into his team. Just feels to me like this guy never quite got the break he needed in NASCAR to make it. Let's hope Indy gives him that chance.
Edit Comment Cancel
Andy Stotts 9 months ago
Great article. I saw him at Dover a while back too. Really nice guy. Not stuck up like Rusty wallace was.
Edit Comment Cancel
Mary Jo Buchanan 9 months ago
Thanks Andy. What do you think about the Rusty rumor - Rusty and Teresa - there's a pair??!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Crabber 1967 . 9 months ago
Thanks Mary Jo, very educational about all the efforts of Stanton Barrett; I hope this information gets to the widest possible number of people.
Well Done!
Edit Comment Cancel
Mary Jo Buchanan 9 months ago
Thanks much Crabber. I learned alot about him - the best reward for all of us! Hope you're well!
Edit Comment Cancel
Lola Judd 7 months ago
Won't Stanton have a tough time at the road courses in the 2009 IndyCar Series?
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.