Barker’s Auto Racing Musuem

BLOOMVILLE, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Hidden away in the hills of Delaware County is a tremendous tribute to one man’s love of auto racing.

The private Barker Racing Museum is the result of 40 years of collecting at the track.

“This roof came off of this Ricky Rudd race car . . .” said Barker Racing Museum Owner Bob Barker.

Barker converted a portion of his basement into his own private museum in order to display his thousands of racing collectibles and memorabilia.

“I’m obsessed. 40 years doing this as you can see. Been collecting a long time and still collecting, still getting stuff,” said Barker.

Barker first started drag racing at age 18 and soon after started his collection. After being away from racing itself for much of the 80’s and 90’s, he joined a pit crew in 1998 and went on to become a team owner and, for a short while, a driver again.

Barker says he’s been involved in all forms of racing including oval tracks and short tracks, stock cars, Legends cars, midgets and Sportsmen’s.

“I used to go in the 60’s and 70’s to a local track on Staten Island with my father and I always, always liked racing. Some guys like football, some like guys like baseball, me, I’m racing,” said Barker.

Barker’s collection began in the mid 80’s when he built plastic models of NASCAR cars. From there, he began purchasing die-cast cars, matchbox cars, a mug and glass collection, tickets from many of the 58 tracks that he’s attended, racing helmets and now pieces of sheet metal. But the largest section on display is devoted to his favorite driver ever: Jeff Gordon.

“I followed Jeff from the minute he started racing in NASCAR. I think it was 24 or 23 years that he raced, and I was a big fan of his. Met him numerous times, really nice guy,” said Barker.

One of his prize possessions is a limited edition Jeff Gordon Cabbage Patch doll. There’s also a Jeff Gordon baseball, telephone, cooler, soda bottles and Christmas tree ornaments. His museum is bursting at the seams, and yet he continues to acquire new items.

“I’m looking to get a piece of sheet metal. I got a spot up here on the ceiling where I could fit it. I’m starting to run out of room. Might have to expand and knock out a wall or something,” said Baker.

While Barker occasionally buys a piece he’s seeking on the internet or at flea markets, most of his collection has come as gifts from drivers and others in the racing world, so that nearly every item has a special story.

Barker retired from racing five years ago and moved up to Delaware County in search of a new home and a place for his museum. Now he’s proud to share his collection with close friends and family. But there is one major downside.

“I’m like, ‘I’ve got to dust all of this stuff.’ I was dusting down here when I knew you guys were coming. A lot of stuff to dust,” said Barker.

Barker says he doesn’t miss the actual racing itself so much, but he does miss his racing family. Networking with them to expand his museum has kept that connection alive.

Barker’s Auto Racing Museum is not open to the public.

Barker says he plans to attend the NASCAR race at Watkins Glen this summer in search of more treasures.

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