Brad Barbush Claims
Sundance Title over Brother Joe
by Dino Oberto
Anyone who recalls the glory days of
Evergreen Speedway, now Sundance Vacations Speedway, should call
to mind some popular names such as Spencer, Crawford, Yerger,
and Monkoski among others.
Joe Barbush, also known as Frank, a local
racer from Drums, was also with that contingent, driving a
modified stock car against the likes of Ed Spencer, Sr., Johnny
Crawford and a host of other top talent from the era of the late
seventies and early eighties.
When the track ceased operations at the end
of the 1982 season, so too did Barbush with his racing. The
track then reopened in 1988 but he never went back, knowing he’d
catch the bug and want to start driving again.
Joe Barbush passed away in 2007 and
although he never got back behind the wheel of a race car, that
never stopped his three sons, Joe, Jr., Todd and Brad from doing
so. At the start of the 2000’s the trio went to race at the
1/3-mile oval located a mere three miles from their Drums home.
Over the past few years they teamed to
compete in the Street Stock division and 2009 ended as a banner
season for the brothers with all three finishing in the top ten
in points which included a championship for Brad, a runner-up
for Joe and ninth for Todd.
“It felt really good. At the beginning of
the year I wasn’t really thinking about points to much. I just
wanted to go out and have fun but at the end of the year we got
close and that’s when we began taking a more serious look,” said
22-year old Brad.
The title actually came down to the last
race of the season, a double point 50-lapper. Heading into the
finale 38-year old Joe was the point leader but got caught up in
a lap-16 skirmish. Brad came home fifth and that was enough to
advance ahead of his brother and claim the title.
“I was hoping he’d (Joe) get it but I’m
just glad one of us got it,” said Brad. “We just went out and
did our best and whoever won won. There was never much strategy.
“We didn’t care who won the title, we just
wanted to get one-two in the points. It was a good ending to the
year,” he continued. “Finishing like that was a really cool
thing for us too. I’m really glad we were able to finish
one-two. I want to dedicate this championship to my dad. He
passed away and I wish he was here to see this.”
Chasing points was never a thought for the
Barbush boys until late into the season when it appeared that at
least one of them would have a shot at the championship.
“Probably within the last three or four
races is when we started to realize it. Everybody was right
there and we figured we got this far we may as well make a run
for it now,” said Brad.
All three enjoyed visits to Victory Lane.
Twice with Joe and single times for Brad and Todd.
“This year was one of the best years that
I’ve seen it with the Street Stocks. Anyone could pull off a win
on any given week. Plus most of the guys all drive clean and
that makes for good racing,” noted Brad.
What made it interesting for them was pit
service. Although they all worked together off the track, it
became a problem when on the track when they were all racing at
the same time.
“One of the things that really helped us
win the points was other teams coming over when we needed it. It
was fun a having all three of us out there. The hardest part was
in the pits. We really got a lot of help from all the other
competitors,” said 27-year Todd Barbush.
Of course having a three car effort also
meant having a benefit over their counterparts.
“We all just work together and help each
other out. That’s how we got the cars going so good. We have
three cars which meant three times the experience over a lot of
the others,” added Todd.
Next up will be the awards banquet on
November 14 were Brad will collect his well-earned championship
hardware. It should turn out to be a very proud moment too
knowing that his brothers will be right there to share in the
moment. Also know that in their hearts dad is looking down on
his boys who have all done well in carrying on the family name
in racing.
Source: Keeping Track/Dino
Oberto
Posted: October
23, 2009