Siemens 200 - Stanton Barrett Notes

Nobody Outworks AmericInn Pontiac Driver Barrett
Racing’s most experienced younger driver concentrates On continuing to build NASCAR career

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Nobody outworks Stanton Barrett.

The driver of the #91 AmericInn Pontiac, Barrett brings the strongest work-ethic in the series to this week’s Siemens 200 NASCAR Busch Series race at the one-mile New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon. Barrett not only serves as the AmericInn team driver and owner, he is also its general manager and key marketing person.

“I found out a long time ago that if I was going to be successful in life, no matter what I did I had to work as hard as I could,” Barrett said. “Nobody gives you much of anything but, if you work hard and work smart, a lot of people want to be part of what you are doing.

“To get what you want, you have to be dedicated and work as hard as you can at it. My goal has been success in NASCAR racing on the Busch and Cup levels. My family doesn’t have a lot of money and I don’t have a big racing family name, so whatever I accomplish, I have to work hard and accomplish on my own,” he added.

To work his way to the top of stock car racing, Barrett utilized success in another fields. He is an award-winning Hollywood stunt man, whose newest movie is Spiderman 2, which has been at the top of the national movie charts since its recent release. Barrett, who doubled for James Franco in the hit movie, has been involved in stunt work since his teenage years, following in the footsteps of his father, Stan Barrett, as part of what most Hollywood insiders refer to as “the Earnhardts of stunt work.”

The AmericInn Pontiac, which will compete in Saturday’s Siemens 200 NASCAR Busch Series race at the “Magic Mile,” is Barrett’s main focus right now. Barrett has raced in NASCAR’s top two divisions for several years, and is one of the most experienced 31-year-old drivers in stock car racing.

“I enjoy what I’ve done with the movie and television industry, the stunt work and the stunt coordination. I’ve started doing some producing too, which has been a lot of fun and a real challenge,” Barrett said. “But what I do in Hollywood has always been done to help me with what I can do in racing. I use the money I make in movies and television to help finance what I am looking to do on the race track.

“Having AmericInn as a sponsor has been great for us. There was a time when I would work all night on a movie set, like I did with Batman, and then come home and work the telephones all day, setting up deals and talking with various people on everything from sponsorship issues to how to set up a car for the next track,” Barrett said. “Having AmericInn as a sponsor this year has really made a difference. They are tremendous supporters of me and my career, and I am grateful for what they are doing in NASCAR.”

Barrett is a strong representative for AmericInn and the series. During a time when many car owners are looking towards youth, Barrett is one of the few drivers in any professional motorsports series who has both youth – his 31 years of age – and experience (in motorsports as a driver since he was 16 years old). He is well known throughout the industry for getting the most out of his equipment, and has learned to make middle-of-the-road equipment good, and good equipment very good.

The award-winning Hollywood stunt man who has appeared in hundreds of movies, television shows and commercials brings a driver situation perfect for most corporate sponsors – a young race car driver who already has the NASCAR Cup and NASCAR Busch Series experience to go to the top. In Hollywood, Barrett was nominated for two national stunt awards this year, including for his work in Cradle To The Grave, and is known for his stunt-work variety.

“There are some similarities between racing and stunt work. I like the fact that both are physical but require a lot of mental work to make everything successful,” Barrett said. “In some sports, you can be highly physical and not have to do much thinking to do well. In others, it’s all mental and the physical aspects don’t come into play quite as much”.

“Motorsports requires both, and you have to be pretty good at both to be successful,” he added. “AmericInn recognizes that, and the level of loyalty the fans dedicate to the sport. AmericInn is thrilled to be a part of the 2004 season and I’m just glad they are part of it with me.”

The AmericInn sponsorship includes a minimum of eight NASCAR Busch Series races, which began with the May race at California Speedway. This is the fourth of those AmericInn races.

The AmericInn Lodging System currently has 230 locations open or under development in 30 states. The success and savvy growth of the system is due to its unique product and market niche. AmericInn competes across the luxury-economy and mid-market segments, establishing it well within the NASCAR demographic. The AmericInn Lodging System is dedicated to providing guests with Quiet Nights, Rest Assured through its unique masonry construction. For additional information and chainwide reservations, please visit www.americinn.com or call 800-634-3444.