Art Barry

Car Owner, Car Builder
CLASS OF 2009

Art Barry had a long career as fabricator of some of the finest modifieds in southern New England. He started out at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl in 1952, the track’s second year of operation, helping his father with his racecar. After a few short years, Art would buy out his father’s race team.

In the early 1970’s, his “Stump Jumper” 909 (or sometimes numbered 09) were driven by the likes of Jerry Dostie and Bobby Santos. In the mid-1970’s, he debuted a beautiful red #14 Capri bodied modified. It was one of the several cars Bob Potter drove in 1976 to capture the drivers championship at Waterford Speedbowl.

A lifelong mechanic, Barry started his own business, Spearpoint Auto, in his hometown of Preston, CT in 1977. In 1988, he started SPAFCO (SpearPoint Auto & Fabrication Company) building & selling modified racecar chassis.

Art was a two time NASCAR Modified Tour champion, winning back-to-back titles in 2001-2002 with Mike Stefanik as his driver. By this time, his SPAFCO cars were now numbered #21. 10 years later, he won the Modified Racing Series championship with Jon McKennedy behind the wheel, then another MRS championship in 2014 with Justin Bonsignore.

His cars have won two Thompson 300‘s (Stefanik and McLaughlin), two Spring Sizzlers with Mike Ewanitsko (1994-95) plus two wins each at Martinsville Speedway and New Hampshire Speedway.

Over the years in auto racing, the cars Barry owned won at 26 different tracks. Some of the other drivers who have piloted his cars include Leo Cleary, George Summers, Ed Flemke, Mike McLaughlin, Jeff Fuller, Rick Fuller and Reggie Ruggiero. Former Cup drivers Brett Bodine and Greg Sacks have also driven for Art.

Art Barry’s racecars were known not only for their success on the track, but for being beautifully prepared. A 1985 award for Best in Show at the annual Racearama event was one of several ‘best appearing’ accolades his cars earned over the years.

Art retired from racing in 2016, with his son Ken continuing to build cars under SPAFCO brand. Art spent his later years enjoying watching his grandson Tyler compete at tracks like Stafford Speedway.

Art Barry passed away on August 16, 2022 at the age of 86.