Kevin Barrett – Clarksville, GA – Son of Hall of Famer Charles Barrett (Georgia Racing Hall of Fame class of 2013), Kevin Barrett of Cleveland, GA raced from 1985 to 2016 with 216 wins in multiple divisions and several championships and awards. Barrett had his first times behind the wheel on a dirt track in 1985 in the B-Limited Division at Lanier Raceway and Lavonia Speedway with a car owned by his father, Charles, and Clyde Moody. Although he claims he didn’t compete well in the handful of races that year, Barrett brought home several top-ten finishes and didn’t let that hold him back. The following year, another car, much more capable than the first, was purchased by the duo and Barrett went on to win nine races in his first full season.
Barrett raced on dirt short tracks at Lanier, Lavonia and Toccoa in the beginning of his career, bringing in victories along the way. In 1987, he moved on to asphalt tracks, many of which he was familiar with as they had recently converted from dirt to asphalt. Barrett was victorious again at Lanier and Lavonia Speedways as well as bringing in victories from Peach State, Senoia and other tracks across the southeast. That year alone brought 22 wins, 15 top-fives and 14 top-tens in the A-Limited Division. This was just the start of his victorious career.
In 1988, Barrett was awarded the Best Sportsmanship Award for his sportsmanship and expertise, reflecting his character both on and off the track. He was given the award at Anderson Motor Speedway (SC). He also was the mid-season points champion and fifth overall in track championship points at Lanier Speedway.
By 1990, Barrett’s success was widely known around the asphalt racing circuit. He won the Budweiser-sponsored Superbowl of Auto Racing at Lanier and was awarded “Determination of the Year” by his fellow racers. In the early-90s, Barrett continued a strong streak of wins and top-fives and tens finishes, adding second-half season points championship and other notabilities.
Moving up to the Late Model Stock Division in 1992 proved to be a great decision – with 14 wins in a season, nine top-fives and nine- top-tens finishes, it was no wonder why he was awarded Driver of the Week and Driver of the Month (four separate times) just to name a few of his awards.
Although ’92 proved to be fruitful, it paled in comparison to his 1993 runs. Barrett dominated the field, week after week, and set a new track record for Lanier Raceway with 19 wins in a single season. The Superbowl of Auto Racing was his for the taking again with a finish of second place out of more than 500 drivers in NASCAR’s Winston Racing Series (Eastern Seaboard Region). This second place came after a ruling from NASCAR, even though Barrett and winner, Jerry Williams, were tied with equal wins, top-five and top-ten finishes. The ruling was that Barrett had one finish that was lower than his competitor. Even though Barrett competed against 20 driver or more each week with Williams only competing against ten or less, the original ruling stood. There is now a new ruling, the “Kevin Barrett Rule,” for the regional points structure must take into consideration the competitions completed before breaking a tie.
A devastating blow took place in 1996 when, financially, racing wasn’t feasible anymore. Barrett sold off everything but did not let anything stop him from his destiny of racing. In ’97, the PARTS Pro Truck Series came along and Barrett built up his own team from scratch to join the Series. By the next year, Barrett was crowned the PARTS Pro Truck Series champion with five wins, two second place finishes and two third place finishes. It was no doubt that Barrett was a force to be reckoned with.
In 2000, a new team was formed for the Hooter’s Pro Cup Series with Barrett as their driver. Even after being top in the rookie points, the team was disbanded, leaving Barrett without a ride again. But, not one to sit idle while a dream stood so close by, he was back behind the wheel again within three years (for a short season) and adding more wins to his collection – 14 this time around.
After just over four decades, Barrett hung up his racing suit after more than 200 wins and dozens of championships across multiple divisions and track-styles. This generation of Barrett lived up and fulfilled the Charles Barrett legends shoes he was forced to vacate after an unfortunate accident in 1973.
Barrett mentored and continues to do so to young racers, cultivating young drivers with his array of knowledge and experience. Now the family legacy continues with two more generations of Barrett drivers, the sons and grandsons of Kevin and his loving wife, Vonda. The Barrett racing family will continue as the youngsters’ careers are just beginning.