Signed, Sealed & Delivered; Blewett to Drive Mystic Missile in 2016
Story By: BRIAN DANKO / MYSTIC MOTORSPORTS MEDIA Photos By: DICK AYERS / RACERSGUIDE.COM
MYSTIC, CT- March 31, 2016- Legendary NASCAR Whelen modified tour car owner Bob Garbarino will be back during the 2016 season with a new driver and national sponsor as he begins his 56th season and will be teamed with another legendary family name in modified racing in Jimmy Blewett.
A new sponsor, the L. S. Starrett Company of Athol, Mass. will be the primary sponsor of the potent team. Starrett was founded in 1880 and manufactures more than 5000 precision tools, gauges, measuring instruments and saw blades for industrial, professional and consumer markets worldwide.
Garbarino said it was a hard choice to tab his next driver but he feels Blewett will fit in fine, despite being away from the modified tour a few years, running the DIRT modified series.
“You never know what is going to work and with Jimmy being away from the tour the past couple of years, I know he is looking to get back and make a good impression. I think the timing is right for Jimmy as a driver and is the right fit for my team.”
Blewett too is equally excited about the prospects of running the #4 Mystic Missile. “I have some unfinished business and getting back to the modified tour and winning races, I feel this is the best opportunity at this time.”
“I talked with Bob early in the winter and I told him I was available to drive. I know that Bob had his choice of several top drivers and I am glad that he chose me.” Blewett said.
Blewett comes from one of the first racing families of New Jersey with his father, John, Jr. and his brother, John III, running modifieds and winning at tracks up and down the east coast and Jimmy is hopeful that this new team will bring Garbarino a fourth title and his first.
Garbarino won the modified tour titles in 2007 and 2009 with Donny Lia as the driver and in 2010 with Bobby Santos.
Jim Ballou, the marketing manager for Starrett says “The whole company is excited about the new sponsorship deal with Garbarino and Blewett.”
When we met Bob before our executive board meeting, we knew of his success in his fifty plus years in racing and we feel honored to sponsor a legend in the sport. Bob has a reputation of doing things the right way and that is the way that we at Starrett have done business since 1880.”
Ballou states ”The company will have hospitality tents at races in Bristol, TN and Loudon, NH and is looking forward to thanking the many loyal employees, education partners, distributors and users of Starrett products.
Our valued customers recognize the quality and precision in all Starrett products. We believe that the exposure through NASCAR sponsorship will introduce the Starrett brand to new customers looking for a competitive edge.”
Having a national sponsor such as Starrett is nothing new to Garbarino and he feels that not only will his team benefit from the new sponsorship but that the whole modified tour will reap the rewards of having Starrett on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
“I feel that this is a win-win situation for everyone.” Bob said.
The Starrett #4 will make its 2016 debut at the Thompson Motorsports Park in Thompson, CT. for the annual running of the Icebreaker, the traditional season opener for the Whelen modified tour.
