Stanton Barrett is to return to the IndyCar Series for this weekend's Motegi race.
The Hollywood stuntman switched to IndyCar this season with the Greg Beck-run Team 3G outfit following 16 years in stock car racing. He admitted from the outset that 2009 would be a learning process, but stepped down in favor of the more experienced Jaques Lazier after he failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 and then missed Milwaukee due to a practice crash.
Indy Lights graduate Richard Antinuccci then replaced Lazier for the road and street course events, but Barrett's 12th place in the season opener in St. Petersburg remains 3G's best finish of the year. The team said when hiring Lazier that the intention was to put Barrett back in the car once it was more competitive, and he will return to the cockpit in Japan this weekend.
"I am thrilled to be back in IndyCar for the Japan race and plan on coming back strong," he said.