TALLADEGA, Ala. – Veteran Stanton Barrett will return to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series this weekend to drive the No. 52 Chevrolet for Rick Ware Racing.

The Bishop, Calif., native is set to make his 24th career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start, but first on a superspeedway. Barrett efforts for his first Cup Series race of the season will be supported by Swedish-based Huski Chocolate.

Huski Chocolate will utilize Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race to help launch the company’s ready to drink chocolate beverage, while also explore other business-to-business initiatives for the Huski Chocolate hot chocolate line.

“I’m glad to be back at the race track this weekend,” said Barrett who recently completed his stunt work in the upcoming expected summer blockbuster John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. “I’ve been super busy with my companies, but it’s exciting to come back to NASCAR and not only bring a new sponsor to the sport – but one that is sure to resonate with NASCAR fans.”

Over the course of his NASCAR career, Barrett has made five starts at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway between the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series. In 1999, he earned a personal track best of 15th.

While expecting a very competitive race abreast a new rules package and the introduction of tapered spacers, Barrett says a good day will be finishing the race in one-piece with a solid finish.

“There are a lot of unknowns going into this weekend’s race. I’ve ran up front many times at superspeedways and seem to get caught up in the “big one” but we hope this weekend will be different,” added Barrett. “We’re already locked into the race – so we’ll be working on finding the right balance with our No. 52 Huski Chocolate Chevrolet and make sure when we need to put ourselves in the right place we can do so.

“Bringing a good finish will give us some momentum to maybe hopefully come back in the fall.”

Rick Ware, team principal of Rick Ware Racing says the team is thrilled to welcome Barrett back to the team. Barrett made his most recent Cup Series start for Rick Ware Racing last year at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.

“Stanton and I have worked together for a lot of years and I’m always happy to have him behind the wheel of one of our cars,” Ware said. “I think Sunday is a race where we can go and be competitive and he (Stanton) can work with the 51 car and have the chance to bring home our best results of the season.”