NASCAR's Barrett switches to IndyCar

3G is a partnership between Barrett, marketing veteran Steve Sudler and long-time IndyCar team boss and engineer Greg Beck.

Former stuntman Barrett has been a semi-regular NASCAR competitor since 1992, mostly racing in the Nationwide Series.

"I am thrilled to be joining Team 3G and the IndyCar Series in 2009," said the 35-year-old American.

"I feel the time is right to move to the IndyCar Series. They have a lot of momentum, and I think they will continue to grow in popularity with fans and corporate marketers."

The Beck Motorsport team on which 3G is based have been involved in the IRL IndyCar Series since its inception, but have not found the backing to complete a full season since 2001. Their only appearance this year was at the Motegi round with Roger Yasukawa, as they then failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.

Beck is confident Barrett can quickly get up to speed in open wheel racing, despite his stock car background.

"Stanton will integrate nicely with the IndyCar Series competition," Beck said. "He has plenty of oval experience from driving in NASCAR, and has road racing experience from early in his career.

"We're excited about being able to announce something this early to run the full season, and it gives us some opportunities from now to the end of the year, even through Stanton's Nationwide programme, to entice some additional sponsorship.

"And it really gives us some concrete things to work on between now and the beginning of the season. With Stanton coming on board, it gives us some components from a driver aspect that are fairly unique."

Barrett intends to continue with a partial Nationwide Series programme around his IndyCar commitments, and also hopes to contest the Daytona 500.