Tommy Barrett Jr. (Photo: Tim Bradbury/Getty Images for NASCAR)
In the wake of the arrest of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Tommy Barrett Jr. last week in Willimantic, Our Motorsports released a brief statement on Thursday afternoon.
Our Motorsports Statement:
“NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Tommy Barrett Jr. will be serving a team-imposed suspension for this weekend’s tour event at Stafford (CT) Motor Speedway. Barrett has breached the team’s Code of Conduct policy and will adhere to the consequence of his actions.
“Our Motorsports has a strict set of standards which lend themselves to professionalism and accountability,” said team owner Chris Our.
Veteran modified driver Keith Rocco will substitute for Barrett.”
The 19-year old Barrett was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at 1:48 a.m. on April 17 in Willimantic. Barrett was also cited for driving unreasonably fast and failing to signal a turn. Barrett, of Millis, Mass., is due in Danielson Superior Court on April 27.
Barrett was not available for comment Thursday. Barrett is in his second year competing full-time on the Whelen Modified Tour for team owner Chris Our and his Our Motorsports team. He has one victory and one pole in 14 events for Our Motorsports on the Whelen Modified Tour. He finished 19th in the Whelen Modified Tour season opening Icebreaker 150 at Thompson on April 12.
Rocco will be making his first start for the Our Motorsports team.
USA, Innocent till proven guilty. Canada guilty til proven innocent!!! think they jump the GUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love Tommy Barrett to pieces. The young man made a mistake. He should not be judged or berated. These things happen and no one is perfect. Support him in his future endeavors. It’s a lesson everyone can learn from.
Finally Rocco gets to drive a competitive tour car now we will see that he is the best in the north east bar none
Nobody jumped the gun. Our Motorsports has a Code of Conduct, the same as very many businesses. I am sure that Tommy was aware of that Code, & it’s expectations of him as a representative of Our Motorsports. Unfortunately, Tommy violated that Code. Chris Our did exactly what he should do as a business owner, and followed that Code. Tommy is a young man, who I’m sure will do what he needs to do, to get past this. It’s all part of growing up in this world, today.
Like this is his first time…Put someone in the seat that a good example and will be grateful for the opportunity to race….