Stanton Barrett: Mourning Mentor Paul Newman; Making His Move To Indy Racing

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.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?