When I got back from the IndyCar race in Japan, I went back to Los Angeles for a couple of days where I got all my hair chopped off and dyed so I could double for Christoph Waltz in the remake movie of "The Green Hornet". It has Cameron Diaz, Seth Rogen and Jay Chou as the stars. I worked three days on that film, and we filmed from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. I went home and packed and headed to the airport to fly to Boston, where I am now, and have been working on another new film directed by Ben Affleck, which he is starring in it as well. This film is called "The Town" and is about bank robbers. Ben plays one of the bad guys and we are doing some fun driving stuff. I am the double for Ben in some of the scenes cause his stunt double has been sick. I did some cool shoot-out stuff yesterday with machine guns and get-away car chase. When I leave Boston I am heading back to LA where I am going to be working on "The Green Hornet" movie again until about November 23. The movie has tons of action and some great stunts and driving scenes. I am crashing people in cars, jumping across highways and doing all kinds of fun things.

My next race will be NASCAR racing in Fontana California next Saturday. That will be certainly fun to get back in the stock car. Then on October 24 I am going to shoot a new commercial for Nike with one of the Olympic athletes in Salt Lake on the ice track where we had the Olympics in 2002. This is going to be an exciting commercial for me to shoot and still have to spend some time on the creative content for this commercial.

It is still hard to believe I was just in Japan as it seems so long ago with the pace and schedule I have been keeping. I had such a great time seeing everyone there at the races and in Tokyo. Unfortunately, we had a problem in the race with the safety locking pin that holds the large wheel nut that keeps the wheel from coming off. The track is a very fun and challenging track to drive. Running some good lap times in the race gave me a more enjoyable experience and hopefully the fans enjoyed the event. After the race I got to spend some time at dinner with Dario Francetti and Scott Dixon, the winner of the race. They said my car and I were very fast in turn 3 and 4 and complimented me on how good I was driving. But, they felt the car had a lot of drag in turn 1 and 2 and down the straight. Turn 1 and 2 are turns where you do not lift the throttle. They felt that Motegi was the best that the number #98 car had run all year. Dario and actress Ashley Judd are now living in Boston and plan to go to dinner with me before I leave LA.

This Saturday's race in California will probably mark my last race of the year in a race car. I am looking forward to figuring out where and what I will be racing next year. For now, I will be making great movies and enjoying my family and looking forward to going to the Olympics in Vancouver to see the athletes that I have helped support through my charity.

It was so great to see all the Interush group in the Motegi stands with your hats, shirts and flags cheering me on! The whole experience was something so memorable and all of your support and enthusiasm just made it an amazing event for me!
Thank you!

I will add another blog and include some photos of the NASCAR race in California later this week.

Live Free and Fast!

Stanton

Here is a photo from the 2010 Ford Mustang Internet commercial that I did recently in downtown LA. We had a great time working on this spot and doing some super fun driving, drifting and creating a cool story spot. We had X-games gold medal winner Jake Brown (inferred to be driving) and 2009 X Games Gold Medalist vertical skateboarder Pat Duffy (Legendary street skater) in the commercial. I was the main stunt driver and also the stunt coordinator, but when I was busy on the main unit or need to be coordinating shots and safety during some of the street scenes I used Rich Rutherford who drove in the Fast and Furious - Tokyo Drift movie. We had tons of super cool driving, crashing threw parking barriers, jumping the car, drifting around spiral parking structure and killer skating. I got to hire my cousin and a few friends to help do rigging on the skate board jumps and more. A super fun day at the office for sure! And Interush will help Ford distribute the commercial online in Japan, Taiwan and the USA.

Live Fast and Free,

Stanton

Montreal is such a great place and it is one of my favorite places to both race and visit. However, the weather made it a crazy weekend at the race track. On our first day it rained all day and I only managed to get in one lap of practice, in the rain. After my one lap of practice, the track never went green long enough for me to get back on track. NASCAR decided to run qualifying in a steady rain... this was the first time in history they have done something like this. To say the least I was not happy about their decision and knew that since I was in the first group to go out the track, it was not favorable at all for achieving a good speed. I had a great lap going and a then slower car got in my way and could not let me go by, and I could not see well enough with the blinding rooster tail of water coming from the car in-front of me. So, I had to slow and wait for him to go ahead. It really cost me a great starting spot, but at least we made the race, whereas my team mate missed the race.

NASCAR Nationwide Race day was Sunday, August 30th. During the race we had a brake issue because the brake ducts were not vented all the way. I lost a ton of time on the track when we had the longest green flag of racing. We lost a valuable lap after pitting however, we were really fast and got up to the lead position, one lap down and then got our lap back on the next caution flag. From that point on, the race never ran over 3-5 green flag laps at a time due to all the caution laps. Each time it was green, I could pick cars off every lap. Coming from the back we made it quickly from about 36th to 24th in a few green flag laps and through a variety of caution laps. It was a real bummer because there were so many wrecks that I could never get into a grove and just pick our way through the pack.

It ended up raining with about 19 laps to go. By the time we got racing again, we had 15 laps left, but every one or two laps there was a wreck and back to yellow again. At this point I had managed to stay out of trouble and could have really make ground up and got near the top ten. With 5 laps left, I was running in 12th and was looking at a top ten finish. Then on another restart in the first corner Steven Wallace slid right across the hairpin turn and slammed into my car, broke the rear track bar mount, flattened my left rear tire and took out about 7 other cars. I was able to limp around two laps under caution until we could get a new rain tire on the car and not lose a lap. We restarted again with two laps to go, when there was a big spin out with about 7 cars in turn one and now I passed up to 8th spot, but my car was so damaged from the crash that I could only go about 65% speed. The race ended as the second longest race in NASCAR Nationwide history. Our result was 24th and a torn-up race car, plus a very sore back and neck for myself!

I still have lots of work to do to prepare for the coming IndyCar Series race in Motegi, Japan. I cannot wait to see Japan and tour around a little. Team 3G says they have been working really hard on the car and think in the last weeks they have found some new technology that will allow us to race very well there in Japan. It has been a while since I was in the seat of the IndyCar due to the crash a few months ago. It is such an exciting car to drive and looking forward to my return to the IRL with all my Interush friends and fans there to watch! See you soon!

Live Free and Fast,

Stanton

In addition to my IndyCar and NASCAR racing, plus my Hollywood stunt-man work, I am also very passionate about making films and television commercials. I recently updated my 'director's sample reel' and I thought I would share this with all my friends through my blog.

This has been something I have been working towards for a few years, but have not had time to focus on until this year since I am not running the day-to-day operations of a race team. It is an exciting for me to be able to be working creatively in the film and television commercial industry. My production company specializes in anything to do with sports, and especially with anything motorized, like cars, trucks, motorcycles and of course race cars...!

Please click on this link and wait a minute for it to download...I hope you enjoy my film work too...

My Film

Live Free and Fast,

Stanton

I am in Sun Valley, Idaho visiting my dad for a few days, and soon I'll be on my way back to the eastern USA, to stop by the race shops and take care of some business related to racing.

Yesterday I received a call to work on the new hit TV Series NC-CSI which is the Naval CSI show. My brother is directing this episode and requested that I do some stunts for him on Friday. So, in the morning I am catching a flight to Los Angeles to work for a day and then back to Idaho, and driving east from here. I need to be in Nashville by the weekend for meetings for a new music video I am going to be directing, then to Charlotte to meet with NASCAR about a partnership with my production company for TV commercials. There are lots of new film productions starting up now and I am getting lots of calls about performing stunts for them.

I can't believe how close we are now to the race in Motegi Japan. Time is speeding as fast as the race cars and can not believe that in just six weeks I will be in Japan for the first time, and will also get to see many of my many friends at Interush, and to race in Japan!

The IndyCar race team is working really hard to improve the race car and have made some significant progress based on some engineering information. Last week they were able to get the assistance of a well known engineer Alex Castrounis that previously worked with KV and Conquest racing. Top engineers are so vital to the success of a racing team and collaboration with chief mechanic/race strategist is crucial to building a successful program. Team 3G is utilizing each weekend to grow and learn both on ovals and road courses which is exciting news as the Japan race nears.

The IRL is a very exciting place to be racing now and the future is looking very positive for everyone involved. The IRL is looking to change both the Engine and the Car package for 2012. The same year they are looking to add China as the first IRL race for that country. Next year is going to have some changes as well, by adding a race in Brazil, one of the world's most popular racing countries. In the USA, the IRL is considering adding Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. This is an excellent facility and I will be looking forward to racing at that beautiful race track with a variety of natural terrain. It is very possible that next year the IRL will also be adding Baltimore and Boston; however, these will most likely happen in 2011. These are great markets for racing and the addition to having more street races is a great business opportunity and a niche market no other motorsports can compare with. IRL is also thinking about adding Las Vegas in 2011, but most likely 2012. Of course there are some races that will be going away to allow for these improved race venues.

These are all very exciting things to me, as I am looking forward to being part of the IRL series for many more years. I am really anxious to get back into a race car again, now that I am feeling healthy and strong again, and without too much back and neck pain. Unfortunately, I am not certain of my return race date because the race team had to make commitments to two other drivers, one suited for road course and the other for ovals, to fill in while I was recovering. There is a strong possibility I will be racing again in Chicago, but will not know for a week or two.

Right now I am very happy just to know that I will be racing again soon, and because I am getting lots of requests for stunts, and I am in discussions about directing and producing more commercials in the near future. I am also looking forward to racing in Japan where I will get to see all my Interush friends from Japan again soon, and hopefully many of you from Taiwan are coming as well!

Live Free and Fast!

Stanton

I am in St. Louis today getting ready to go to the race track. I am running the NASCAR Nationwide race here this weekend, to help me get fit and in physical condition to race the IndyCar again soon. My back is still sore from the hard crash I had in Milwaukee many weeks ago. Taking steps to get back to racing full time this year has been long and frustrating.

St. Louis is a great track and always enjoy the challenges of this track. It is very similar to the layout of Motegi with two different turns, one very tight and slightly banked, and the other one flat and longer, in an oval shape that is 1.25 miles long.

After this race I am heading back to California to take some photos with all the new Interush Racing Team gear that will be available to everyone soon. Then I'll probably get to work on some movies over the next few weeks in between races.

But right now, I am really looking forward to getting on the race track this weekend. Practice is Friday tonight, qualifying is Saturday afternoon and the race is Saturday night, broadcast on ESPN2 to millions of race fans throughout the USA and Canada.

Live Free and Fast,
Stanton

Things are very busy again for me again now.

As you may know I was not certain when and how things were going to workout after the IndyCar crash last month in Milwaukee. When the soreness did not go away after several days, I had x-rays taken to make sure nothing was broken or fractured... fortunately it was not.

Over the past week I have started feeling well enough to do some synchronized driving for a new Nissan television commercial in Los Angeles, while continuing to recover and while waiting to be able to get back into the race cars. The Nissan commercial was lots of fun and we were working with a director who is a big fan of both my father and I. My dad was also working in the commercial with me, and that is something that we do not get to often do together.

Last week I also went from LA to Irvine to work on a new video Google, highlighting the Google / Interush collaboration, along with Marty Matthews. It was great to have the NASCAR and the IndyCar together at the same spot, you'll be able to see this soon on a Google website, and posted on the Interush sites too.

Overall I am feeling a bit better now from all the soreness in my back and neck. It looks like next week I will be able to get back into the NASCAR series again to race in Chicago. This is a great track and the city is a great location to get away and enjoy yourself.

Both the NASCAR Team and IndyCar Team have been working really hard at making things work well for the rest of the year. Now that I'm starting to feel better, I'm eager to get back in the IndyCar again in the next month sometime. In the interim the team is using another driver to make sure we are able to enter each race.

I need to be back in full health before I drive the IndyCar again so for now, I'm taking the easier path of the NASCAR series and working on films, without dangerous stunts.

Each week we are getting closer to the September race in Japan where I look very forward to seeing everyone at the event and spending time with the Affiliates. You are going to have a great time together watching the super-hot Interush IndyCar.

So right now I am still in Malibu, California resting in my motorhome, overlooking the ocean and enjoying my friends and family. I have also been using my time to be in discussions about some great potential movie stunts, plus directing some commercials and also a new music video. We will see what comes of all the opportunities in the next few weeks.

Live Free and Fast,

Stanton

I was in Milwaukee this past weekend for the IndyCar race. Milwaukee is a very fun track to race and was looking forward to racing at this track but unfortunately I did not get to race.

I got on the race track Friday in the first practice session. The car was very loose and we had to make a few pit stops to make some adjustments. We made some good changes and went back on the track. The car felt really good and was taking some good time off our lap times. We were running 10th and just behind some solid cars. I had only made 19 laps and the car was feeling really solid and into the race track. This is something that is hard to get is your car feeling like it has side bite and into the race track. We were working on shaving time each lap taking off 3-5 tenths per second each lap. Then in turn 2 all of a sudden the car just broke loose and lost control. This was completely unexpected and caught me off guard. I hit the wall hard backwards then came around and slapped the wall sideways on the right side.

Unfortunately it was such a heavy impact we were not able to repair the car at the race track and was not able to race this weekend. I have been very sore from the impact and taking some time to recover. Not certain what the next weekend is going to bring with regards to running the IndyCar. I have to make sure my back is not as sore as it is now to be able to race those cars. It is really unfortunate because it might keep me from running in a few races.

I am still looking forward to the weekend to race either in the Nationwide race in Nashville or the IndyCar race in Texas. I just have to wait a few more days and see how my physical health is before I can make the right decision on what I am going to do...

Stanton

The focus over the last few days have been completely towards finding more sponsors, and working on our amazing race car. I have spent a lot of time with the team working with them on the car, doing all we can to find more speed. There are a few things that I can help with and so I have tried to do that. Most of it relates to aerodynamic things on the car. This is not the most important aspect right now.. it is our set-up that is. It sure has been an up and down week and half. One minute we are pretty fast, and the next there is no extra speed. Most of all it has to do with changes in the car that are in the wrong direction or something that has just not been changed just as we had expected. Regardless, we have learned a lot in the last few days on the set-up and how to improve it.

Changing our geometry and starting from scratch again on Thursday has been frustrating. Keeping focussed and not getting frustrated at the wrong time and keeping your cool on the track is the most important and we were able to do that very well this week as a team. Today had its moments. We know we have good direction to go, but sometimes we are just taking the wrong turns and this sets us back. We made a lot of changes today and went for a late qualifying run. We knew that the weather is tough and wind was strong, so the goal was to make a good run and learn what we could, to make proper decisions for qualifying on Sunday.

All the hard work, the hope and desire to make the Indy 500 will come down to just one more day on the track. Only 14 cars still need to qualify into the final 11 spots and some basically locked themselves in today. But tomorrow the speeds are going to be higher, the track will be faster and more risks will be taken. The speed has been there this week at 219.4, so, it can come again plus more. We are only behind the other two cars in front of me by just .045 mph, which is such a small, small margin.

I am excited to get the opportunity to try again tomorrow, but the reality of what is at risk is something that is in the back of everyones mind. Being too comfortable with where you are, or with the speed you post could be something that can bite you tomorrow. I know that you can not just build a great team overnight, there is so much to this sport. Knowing this from history of motor sports, we have to keep working on the entire package from myself as a driver learning the car, to the crew making it the best car they can, and learning about the best possible set-up on these cars. Not to mention adding a few more full time employees so the few we have don't pass-out from a lack of sleep! Our crew has really worked so hard and committed so much to this program. I hope all our hard work will pay off tomorrow and believe it will.

Stanton

Arriving to the track I park my car and walk the steps through the gate that introduces us all to the concrete garages that stands as firmly as our commitment to offer our best. As I walk each step, the busy people, workers and fans both alike moving among what was empty space while we all slept. Step-by-step leads me to the garage marked for Team 3G #98, driver Stanton Barrett INTERUSH/Curb/Candlewood Suites Indy Car team. It is good sign that this is the place I am suppose to be!

My committed crew are working diligently when I walk through the door, as they have for the last three off days. Each one paying attention to the details with new intent, details that are now so important, massaging and tuning every aspect of our race car. Tremendous attention to detail, examining and uncovering ever ingredient that can potentially allow us the speed and the success we seek by days end. I start working on the car as well, covering areas of the suspension with special tape, cutting and molding artistically to reduce drag from the wind that kisses our car. Things I really enjoy, working on race cars, mechanics and aerodynamics is somewhat of an art form to me. Being a part of working on the machine that takes care of me on the race track is just something that seems like the right thing to do. This brings my mind back to the long days in the single car garage, building my own race car, hours on end, to the early morning, then finding myself waking from underneath the metal machine and the unique smells we know as a race car.

Looking forward to the moment today that we make our first laps on the track, high noon arrives, this moment comes before I know it. The shifting of gears as the red lights on my dash move swiftly while shifting up to speed. My excitement ends quickly as the reality sets in, this is not working so well. A new attitude different from last week takes hold as the crew keeps the tone positive and forward thinking to solutions. Belief in what we do, the goals we have set out for since last October has taken the lead for the day. This is what a team is made of and team work is defined as. Nothing came easy today on the track to where the heat blew in creating a slick surface, slowing speeds of the best teams. By the end of the day, we simply found with continued focus and efforts led to finding the way that closed the gaps to our competitors. Now that the night has come full circle, bringing closer to the day we must lay it all on the line, for the four laps that will define our efforts, and that will identify who will be among the 33 drivers that will start on the grid of the 2009 Indy 500.

Stanton