“Digging Deep With Denise” is a semi-regular question and answer feature with local racers and racing personalities produced by RaceDayCT’s Denise DuPont
Tyler Barry – I wanted to drive my dad’s car
Tyler Barry was born into a racing family. Not all young racers can say that their grandfather is in the NEAR Hall of Fame and has been building race cars for more than 60years. Even though Art Barry has said he has retired from racing he has put together a Modified car for his 15-year old grandson Tyler to run now that he is old enough. Tyler’s dad, Ken Barry, has been behind the wheel of a Modified, built Modifieds and is now his son’s crew chief. So with Tyler Barry’s career really in the early stages, we are looking forward to see the accomplishment’s he will add to his resume.
What made you get interested in racing?
“My dad and my grandfather have been racing forever. I remember going and watching my dad racing. At Seekonk Speedway, I remember that I wanted to drive my dad’s car. I remember I sat in his seat when they were scaling and working on the car. ”
Which type of racing do you like the best?
“I like driving my grandfather’s car the best. I like the power that it has under the hood. I also like having my name on the hood because it is special driving for my grandfather who had legendary drivers drive for him like Mike Stefanik, George Summers, Bobby Santos, Mike McLaughlin, Jeff and Rick Fuller, Mike Ewanitsko, Reggie Ruggiero and all those guys.”
Would you say racing is your hobby?
“Racing is my hobby. Right now I do not want to do it for work. Coming to the race track is a time to get away from everything, clear your mind and just focus on racing.”
Would you consider Stafford Speedway as your home track?
“I consider Stafford my home track, for the Modifieds. I also drove Go-Karts at Stafford when I was younger in the Monday night shows. [The New London-Waterford Speedbowl], I also consider my home track because I started my racing there in Bandolero’s and Legend cars.”
Do you prefer running weekly at the same track or visiting new or different tracks?
“I like being at the same track for now, Stafford. Building and understanding your setups and being able to go back the next week and trying it out. But then again it is always cool going to different tracks and touring around. Right now we are doing both. Testing and trying things at a track and then trying things at other tracks so you can improve at them.”
The Tri-Track Open Modified Race at Monadnock Speedway
On Saturday August 14th, Tyler Barry made his debut in the Xtreme Racing #4 Modified in the Tri-Track Open Modified Series Monadnock 100 race. This was his first time driving a Modified at Monadnock Speedway. He finished the race 21st after starting 24th.
“This is my first time in a Modified at Monadnock. I have been here a couple of times before in a Legend car. There is a big difference in a Modified versus the Legend Cars. Speed, tires … they are so different running on the track.”
Thoughts on winding down race season 2021?
“We are pretty good with rookie standings. If we could wrap that up at Stafford and maybe get a top ten in points that would be good. It has been a great year at Stafford even though we have not got a win yet. Hopefully it will come soon. We have had a couple of top fives and top tens so it has been a pretty good year overall so far.”
What is your goal for 2021?
“Driving my grandfather’s car as much as I can without rushing or abusing the car. Just getting use to running the car. And running the SK Lights at Stafford – going for the Rookie of the Year.”
“So for 2021, we want to have good starts, be cautious on the track, remember that we cannot win on lap one and try to get a win of we can.”
Right now what are your thoughts on the future? Build cars? Race?
“Right now my thoughts for the future are racing cars more than my dad did so that I can build them too. I will always have my dad and grandfather’s help, but someday I want to be able to do it myself.”
“I do not know yet if we will run more Tri-Track races yet this year. We may do a couple with my grandfather’s car. We hoping that something may happen with Xtreme Racing next year. But for right now we are focusing on Stafford and the SK Lights.”
Extremely impressive person.
Has done a good job of not racing over his head and not depending on daddy’s wallet to fix his mistakes. Definitely an up and coming talent.
What impresses me about Tyler is he’s focused and very respectful. He takes what the car gives him, doesn’t push the issue and most importantly he works on the car learning about the components, the set up and how they all work in conjunction with each other. Those values have been instilled in him by his father and grandfather both the best mentors a young man can have. Keep up the great work young man, this guy is rooting for you!