NHRA News: Haddock inks Barrett Enterprises as his primary sponsor (1/26/2004)

Haddock inks Barrett Enterprises as his primary sponsor

1/26/2004

Terry Haddock

Funny Car pilot Terry Haddock announced a major sponsorship agreement with Barrett Enterprises, Inc. The agreement, which was signed on Haddock's 32nd birthday, will enable Haddock to compete at 14 of the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events.

"This was the best birthday present anybody could have given me," Haddock said. "This is the only country where you can watch Funny Cars on TV as a kid and realize when you have a dream, are true to it and work hard at it, you can achieve it. We are so proud to form this union with Barrett Enterprises. With them on my team it means my dream of racing Funny Car competitively can come true."

Based in Fox Lake, Ill., since 1986, Barrett Enterprises specializes in the installation of siding on all new construction single and multi-family homes. The company is the largest employer of union carpenters installing residential siding in the Chicago area.

Terry Haddock's Barrett Enterprises Funny Car.
Click for bigger image.

Owner Bill Barrett is a fifth-generation carpenter who was taught the business by his father, Alex Barrett. A union carpenter for 35 years, Barrett knows the advantages of union membership and works closely with his local union to train and recruit members. His company currently employs 125 people with plans to double in size this year through the exposure Haddock's Barrett Enterprises Funny Car will generate.

"My wife Patti and I have always been avid fans of many types of racing, with drag racing being our favorite," Barrett said. "Not knowing we could get directly involved without owning our own team, we dreamed and talked a lot about it, but we truthfully didn't think it would happen until we met Ed Dawson at a drivers' autograph session in Las Vegas. After talking to Ed, we saw how we could live this dream of ours and possibly grow our business by attracting more people to work for us as union employees.

"After meeting Terry there was no doubt in our minds we had to move forward and go for it. We feel that with Terry's dedication and ability, we can help him reach his dream and at the same time he will help us live ours."

Bracketing Haddock, Patti & Bill Barrett sealed
their sponsorship deal on Haddock's birthday.

Haddock was understandable appreciative. "I would like to thank the Barretts for believing in me and my team enough to be our major sponsor," he said. "With their commitment and support we now have the parts and equipment to run competitively. In the past I have always raced with the hope we may qualify and maybe get lucky and win a round or two. Now it's exciting to think about the upcoming season knowing our chances to qualify and go rounds just got a lot better because we have such great people supporting us."

Paul Smith, who Haddock hired in the middle of the 2003 season, will continue in his role as crew chief.

"We're looking forward to being able to go out and have the right parts to be competitive instead of trying to do it on a shoestring," Haddock said. "Paul has given us the chance to be a little competitive and now we'll have the budget to equal what Paul can do."

Haddock's team will also be supported be VF Trucking, Speed Logistics, Wheel Vintiques, Fram/AirHog, Lucas Oil, Heavy Metal Creations, and Urie & Blanton Welding Supplies.

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