Bootie Barker
Encyclopedia
Robert "Bootie" Barker III (born March 2, 1971) is a crew chief in the NASCAR
Sprint Cup stock car racing series. Barker is the crew chief for the No. 13 Germain Racing
GEICO
Toyota Camry
driven by Casey Mears
in the Sprint Cup Series. In the past, Barker has worked for Ashton Lewis
, Bill Davis Racing
, Jasper Motorsports
, and Hendrick Motorsports
. Barker is also a television co-host on NASCAR Performance a weekly program on the Speed Channel.
from Old Dominion University
, in Norfolk, Virginia
, in 1994. He began his motorsports career working in the Late Model Sportsman Series for Ashton Lewis while still in college. He was paralyzed from the waist down after suffering injuries in a car accident while a senior in high school (South Boston
, Virginia
). Barker has since overcome his injuries to be a respected crew chief and one of NASCAR's most brilliant minds.
Chevrolet
driven by Jeff Green
. His visibility to NASCAR fans increased in 2006. Barker wrote a weekly column for NASCAR.com titled "Urban Legends," in which he addressed myths and questions about various aspects of racing. Barker is also a frequent guest on NASCAR RaceDay
, a preview show for weekly NASCAR events on the Speed Channel
.
In August 2007, Johnny Sauter, Barker and the #70 team were featured as part of ABC
's NASCAR in Primetime
, a television show that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation, logistics, drama and competition of NASCAR.
On October 1, 2008, Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced that Barker would be the crew chief of the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota driven by two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip for the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season.
Barker also writes a monthly column named "Top of the Box" for Racing Milestones Magazine
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Sprint Cup stock car racing series. Barker is the crew chief for the No. 13 Germain Racing
Germain Racing
Germain Racing is an American NASCAR team. It is owned by the Germain brothers, Bob, Stephen, and Richard. The Germain family owns many car dealerships across the United States...
GEICO
GEICO
The Government Employees Insurance Company is an auto insurance company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway that as of 2007 provided coverage for more than 10 million motor vehicles owned by more than 9 million policy holders. GEICO writes private passenger automobile insurance...
Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Toyota since 1982, and sold in the majority of automotive markets throughout the world...
driven by Casey Mears
Casey Mears
Casey James Mears is the driver of the #13 GEICO Toyota for Germain Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. He is a former winner of the Coca-Cola 600....
in the Sprint Cup Series. In the past, Barker has worked for Ashton Lewis
Ashton Lewis
Ashton Lewis,Jr. was a NASCAR driver. He was educated at the Sears Point Raceway road racing school as well as obtaining a degree in mechanical engineering from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia....
, Bill Davis Racing
Bill Davis Racing
Bill Davis Racing was a racing team that participated in all three of NASCAR's top divisions until 2009.The team had run Toyota-branded stock cars and trucks in both the Camping World Truck Series and Sprint Cup Series since 2007. Dodge, Ford, and Pontiac previously backed the team...
, Jasper Motorsports
Jasper Motorsports
Jasper Motorsports is a former NASCAR Winston Cup/NEXTEL Cup team. It was owned by a variety of owners including D.K. Ulrich and Doug Bawel.- 1970s-1980s :...
, and Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports , originally named All Star Racing, is a current American auto racing team created in 1984 by Rick Hendrick. The team currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Chevrolet Impalas...
. Barker is also a television co-host on NASCAR Performance a weekly program on the Speed Channel.
Early life
Barker graduated with a degree in mechanical engineeringMechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
from Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
, in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, in 1994. He began his motorsports career working in the Late Model Sportsman Series for Ashton Lewis while still in college. He was paralyzed from the waist down after suffering injuries in a car accident while a senior in high school (South Boston
South Boston, Virginia
South Boston is a town in Halifax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 8,142 at the 2010 census.- History :On December 8, 1796, the General Assembly authorized eight commissioners to establish at Boyd's Ferry on the south side of the Dan River the town of South Boston, named for...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
). Barker has since overcome his injuries to be a respected crew chief and one of NASCAR's most brilliant minds.
Racing career
For most of 2006, Barker was the crew chief for the No. 66 Haas CNC RacingHaas CNC Racing
Stewart-Haas Racing, formerly known as Haas CNC Racing, is a NASCAR racing team based in Kannapolis, North Carolina, which runs Chevrolet Impalas. The team is owned by Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, and runs the #14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet Impala driven by Stewart and the #39 United States...
Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
driven by Jeff Green
Jeff Green (NASCAR)
Jeffery Green is an American stock car driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He currently drives part time in the Nationwide Series for Tri-Star Motorsports in their #44 entry and the Sprint Cup Series for Front Row Motorsports in their #55 entry.Green's 1990 Nashville Speedway USA championship...
. His visibility to NASCAR fans increased in 2006. Barker wrote a weekly column for NASCAR.com titled "Urban Legends," in which he addressed myths and questions about various aspects of racing. Barker is also a frequent guest on NASCAR RaceDay
NASCAR RaceDay
NASCAR RaceDay is a pre-race show on Speed Channel. Hosted by John M. Roberts, the show features driver–analysts Kenny Wallace and Kyle Petty, as well as pit reporter Wendy Venturini, who provide news from the track right before each weekend's race. Hermie Sadler came on board in 2008...
, a preview show for weekly NASCAR events on the Speed Channel
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
.
In August 2007, Johnny Sauter, Barker and the #70 team were featured as part of ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's NASCAR in Primetime
NASCAR in Primetime
NASCAR in Primetime is a television program on ABC. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation, logistics, drama and competition of NASCAR....
, a television show that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation, logistics, drama and competition of NASCAR.
On October 1, 2008, Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced that Barker would be the crew chief of the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota driven by two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip for the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season.
Barker also writes a monthly column named "Top of the Box" for Racing Milestones Magazine
Racing Milestones
Racing Milestones is a national monthly magazine for the NASCAR fan. The magazine covers the drivers, races and behind-the-scenes news in NASCAR's NEXTEL Cup, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series.It features stories by Bootie Barker, Barry B...