To think I almost skipped last night’s edition of “NASCAR in Prime Time.” I was tired and sick, and a little tired of Johnny Sauter and Juan Pablo Montoya. I almost missed the best episode yet of this summer series.
“Living The Dream” was the name of last night’s program. A very fitting title. We were treated to photos ot Tony Stewart and Juan Pablo “back in the day” (I was especially amused by the photo of young Tony Stewart with a bowl on his head for a helmet). It reminded us again of how it all started for the best drivers in the world- very young. We also got a close look at Sage Karam, a 12-year-old competing at Grand Nationals in one of the top go-kart series in America. We also got to meet a NASCAR driver I’ve never heard of before last night’s program…Stanton Barrett.
I really want to focus on this guy. From the ABC series we learn that Barrett is an accomplished stunt man, the son of an accomplished former Hollywood stunt man. The 34-year-old from Bishop, California wants more than anything to RACE. I’ve talked here before about the passion of NASCAR fans, but lat night we learned of the passion of the drivers. Barrett could have an easier life simply being a stunt man. He’s well respected for it, and he’s got some major productions to his credit. But Barrett wants to race. His Hollywood career serves to finance his dream. I hope stunt driving pays well. His team is the definition of bare bones. Getting qualified is a major struggle from week to week, and then when he gets in, he’s pretty much putting together a rag-tag pit crew that has never worked together before. Through following this racer, we see the importance of a good crew, as an incompetent crew takes a pretty fair driver in a good car and completely ruins any shot that Stanton Barrett has at contention. I don’t think most guys could endure this kind of frustration. Viewers can really come to appreciate the value of funding for a racing team. It’s obvious that Juan Pablo and Smoke didn’t start like this- getting the backing of major teams such as Chip Ganassi and Joe Gibbs. Stanton Barrett has his wallet and his girlfriend as his only means of support.
Yet, for the love of racing, Stanton Barrett goes on. You really can’t help but wonder what a good team, a good ride and good direction from a team could do with this guy. Barrett’s no dummy. Besides his accomplishment on camera, Barrett has also gotten into bobsled racing and other winter pursuits. The guy just lives to race, in spite of the obstacles. You want to see Barrett win, but even making in the Busch Series has proven to be a tall order. Thinking of the driver of the #30 Chevrolet made me think of another racer a little like him from another era……Dale Earnhardt.
Now hold on, Earnhardt fans, I’m not comparing their driving skills. “The Intimidator”, rumored to be able to “see air” was a one-of-a-kind. But Barrett’s struggles remind me of what we now know of Earnhardt and how he struggled mightily to get his career off the ground. Like Barrett, Earnhardt sacrificed a lot to get his dream started. Stories abound of how the great driver of the Mr. Goodwrench Chevy used to share a mattress with Teresa in a trailer home. Earnhardt sacrificed two marriages before marrying a woman who had the racing background to understand her husband’s great abiding passion. When I think of all the money and the difference it makes in today’s racing scheme, I can’t help but wonder if Dale Earnhardt could have even got started in today’s NASCAR climate. I seriously wonder.
You can’t help but wonder how long Stanton Barrett can hold on. Approaching his mid-thirties, the clock is working against him. I think he already knows that. It is my sense that Stanton Barrett will hang on as long as he can, because as long as he’s hanging on, there’s still hope. What a story it will be if he can. Face it, folks. I WILL root for Barrett because he is DOING what I DREAM about. More power to him.
As for Karam, it will be interesting to see where his dreams take him. Will he follow in his idol Tony Stewart’s steps, or will he become NASCAR’s answer to Todd Marinovich, a young man groomed from the cradle to be an NFL quarterback whose career was an abject failure. It remains to be seen. Ultimately, the passion has to be there. Time will tell. Karam did overcome a shoulder injury to win at Grand Nationals. Through the stories of each of these drivers, we learn that perseverance is a very necessary character trait for a racer. Tony Stewart and Juan Pablo Montoya, though they’ve had a different kind of struggle (I think Barrett would give his right foot to have Tony Stewart’s problems), we saw first hand their struggles and how their love of racing pulled them through- for Stewart, he has gone on to serious Cup contention, and the rookie from Colombia won his first Nextel Cup race at Sonoma.
Last night’s program open my eyes like no other has into the mind of a racer. It was pretty incredible. I wish them all, from Tony Stewart to Sage Karam- all the best.
For them, and because of them, we’ll be watching.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I really enjoyed your comments about Stanton Barrett. I met Stanton back in 1993 when he was running the Dash series at Myrtle Beach. I have been a fan of his ever since. He is a true gentleman. Stanton just needs a big break in either the form of major sponsorship or a ride with a top multi-car team. He is consistantly finishing in the top 25 each week in the Nationwide Series which I feel is a major accomplishment for him and his team. He is the type of driver that I feel should be in the Nationwide series. Drivers trying to move up. It really disturbs me when I see a race result list for the Nationwide series and have to look outside of the top 10 just to see a name that I do not see racing on a Sunday.
Stanton is my Man and I am proud to be one of his long time fans.
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