Tommy Barrett Jr. Suspended By Valenti Modified Racing Series

Valenti Modified Racing Series rookie Tommy Barrett Jr. has receieved a two-race suspension by series officials for his actions during Friday’s event at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, N.H.

Tommy Barrett Jr. (Photo: Stafford Speedway)

Barrett was involved in a late race battle for the top spot at Lee with then series points leader Jon McKennedy. Barrett ended up wrecking McKennedy in a fight for the top spot.

It was the latest in a steady line of aggressive moves this year on the track for the 17-year old Barrett that have ended with drivers angry with his tactics.

Barrett will miss scheduled events at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H. on Saturday and at Canaan Fair Speedway in Canaan, N.H. on July 14.

Barring rain outs, Barrett will be eligible to return to competition on July 26 when the series returns to Thompson International Speedway.

In an event on May 20 at Thompson Speedway aggressive driving by Barrett ended up with him collecting NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Doug Coby and Tim Jordan in a hard wreck. In the divisions next event, on June 9 at Seekonk (Mass.) Speedway, Barrett was involved in multiple skirmishes on the track that led to some post-race issues with teams. Valenti Modified Racing Series officials placed Barrett on probation following the event at Seekonk Speedway.

“The Valenti Modified Racing Series, since it’s inception, has taken a strong stand on aggressive driving,” Valenti Modified Racing Series director Pete Newsham said in a release. “This is an unfortunate situation but based on the Seekonk issue and what happened at Lee, the series is forced to take action. We preach respect and patience in this series. Tommy Barrett is a very talented driver. We hope by this decision he will learn from it.”

Barrett will be on probation for the remainder of the 2012 season. He was eighth in the Valenti Modified Racing Series standings following the event at Lee on Friday. The Millis, Mass. driver had 14 victories over the last two seasons in an SK Light Modified at Stafford Motor Speedway.