BUSCH: Roush parks No. 60 Ford

CONCORD, NC - Geoff Smith, President of Roush Racing, formally announced that Roush Racing is parking the No. 60 OdoBan Ford of Stanton Barrett. Rumors swirled recently about Roush making a driver change for the Ford, but in the end sponsor troubles put an end to the Roush Busch effort.

Stanton Barrett.

Photo by Autostock.

Apparently OdoBan, the No. 60 cars primary sponsor, was unable to provide additional funding for the remainder of the 2003 season.

"Roush Racing has been able to successfully execute a 15-race marketing test for Clean Control Corporation, makers of OdoBan Odor Eliminator and has proven to their satisfaction that the NASCAR Busch Series is a viable marketing investment," said Geoff Smith.

"It is now up to the marketing staff at Clean Control to take its experience to generate the ancillary marketing initiatives necessary to fully activate the program through their distribution base.

"While we hoped that we could continue to operate without interruption, we are optimistic that the final marketing plans of OdoBan will include a longer term commitment to Roush Racing and the Busch Series."

The sponsor blues are a surprise to many in the garage, who had speculated that a driver change was coming for the Roush Busch team. Not an overall cancellation of their program.

In fifteen starts this season, Barrett's statistics are up-and-down. He has scored four top-tens, but six finishes of 20th or worse.

Geoff Smith made a point of stating that Roush was pleased with Barrett's growth as a stock car driver.

"Stanton Barrett was on course exactly as we had hoped. These 15 races represent the most consecutive races Stanton Barrett has ever run, and it has been his only experience driving with the support of a fully dedicated team," said Smith.

"With only a short period of adjustment, he has finished in the top 10 four times and qualified in the top 10 five times, with a best finish of sixth. By the end of the year we thought Stanton would be a regular visitor to Victory Lane."

Barrett left a booming career in Hollywood as a stunt man to drive for Jack Roush in the NASCAR Busch series. He has worked in over 100 films and television shows, including "Fastlane", "Spider-Man", "Cradle to the Grave" and "Batman".