PURCHASE, NY :: The 18-year-old driver from Millis, Massachusetts has built up quite the reputation for himself over the last few years. Barrett is second on the all-time wins list in the SK Light division at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway. He’s also scored six wins in 35 career races and finished second in the 2013 points standings on the Valenti Modified Racing Series.

Race22: Why did you start racing?

Tommy Barrett Jr: My dad is actually very close friends to Bobby Santos’ father, Bobby Santos Jr. He was racing and I grew up watching him race until I was five years old. And then when I was five years old my dad got me into quarter midgets. I started racing down at “Little T” here at Thompson. I raced those until I was about 12 or 13 and then I went to Allison Legacies. Which is a 3/4 quarter scale Winston Cup car. The old stock cars. I was successful in that and then I went to SK Lights at Stafford. I got 10 wins the first year and then I moved up to the MRS series and now I’m here driving for Chris (Chris Our, Barrett’s NWMT car owner).

R22: What race track do you wish was on the Tour schedule that currently isn’t?

TB: That’s a tough question. Lee (Lee USA Speedway in Lee, N.H.). I really like Lee. I’ve had a lot of success there. It’s a rough race track. And we don’t race there on the Tour which is too bad. We raced there with the MRS and the Tri-Track Open Series, the open show, we race there. But we don’t go there with the Tour. It’s a shame, but we can only race so many tracks.

R22: So if money wasn’t an issue and you had a chance to race any car at any race track around the world, where would it be and why?

TB: The Daytona 500. Definitely. It’s the biggest race of the year and the biggest race of the year, in my opinion. Just to be on TV in front of millions and millions of people would be really cool.

R22: Do you have any superstitions or routines that you do before each race?

TB: No not at all actually. I just kind of do whatever and just wake up the next day and get in the car and go.

R22: What is your usual pre-race meal?

TB: They’re always cooking something at all times in there whether it’s calzones or meatballs. I’ll eat anything. I eat a lot, but nothing specific. I just make sure I have a full stomach before I get on the track.

R22: What is a typical day like for you away from the race track?

TB: I actually work construction. I work with my car owner Chris Our down in Cape Cod. I work for him on construction. Right now we are at a job site and I’m driving a machine, a roller. I work every day Monday through Friday and sometimes Saturday. If not, I’m at a race track.

R22: And finally, if you were to check your iPod, what would be the last three songs you listened to?

TB: Last three songs I listened to? Probably “Can’t Stop” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Man of the Year” by Schoolboy Q, and I want to say “Dani California” by Red Hot Chili Peppers also.

R22: So you’re a big Red Hot Chili Peppers fan?

TB: Yeah, I like them. I like rap, I like rock and roll, but I just like all types of music. But those are some of the songs that I’ve listened to lately.