BARNES, TIMOTHY SCOTT “BUBBA” BLUFF CITY, Tenn. — Television producer and videographer Timothy Scott “Bubba” Barnes, whose career in motorsports spanned thirty years, passed away on Friday, March 21, 2008, after battling cancer since 2007. He was forty-eight years old.

A longtime racing enthusiast, Barnes began his television career as a news cameraman with WCYB-TV in his hometown of Bristol, Tenn., and became a cameraman for ESPN’s drag racing coverage in 1985. He became one of the original employees of Masters Entertainment Group in Bristol and went on to produce and direct MEG television shows for a variety of networks including ESPN, ESPN2 and SPEED Channel.

Barnes was responsible for all facets of production of MEG’s weekly “Inside Drag Racing” series which covered hundreds of events from dozens of racing associations. He also produced the “Street Rodder” weekly series for ESPN and was the chief videographer for “NHRA Heat” and dozens of other shows. As chief videographer for MEG for the past decade, Barnes attended over one hundred events per season and covered a wide range of motorsports. He maintained relationships with thousand of individuals throughout the racing world including drivers, crew chiefs, constructors and officials throughout his career. Barnes actively participated in sprint car racing and drag racing and was also a capable builder of street rods and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. His knowledge of all aspects of hot rodding was employed in his television productions and helped garner major attention of MEG television shows resulting in several industry awards.

Easily identifiable, “Bubba” Barnes enjoyed the friendship of many of racing’s biggest stars. “There was nobody who didn’t like Bubba,” said MEF President Ted Jones, “and everybody respected his opinion. He was an integral member of our company and, like the fans and racers who knew him, we will miss him tremendously.”

A native of Richlands, Va., he was the son of the late Fred and Ruth McGlothin Barnes. He was a former member of the Sullivan County Planning Commission and was a member of the National Harley Group. Mr. Barnes was a member of Poplar Ridge Christian Church. Survivors include his wife, Kimberly L. Barnes, of the home; a daughter, Megan Lee Barnes, of the home; a son, Brandon S. Barnes, U.S. Air Force, Turkey; a brother, William (Sandy) Marrs and his wife Peggy, Ocala, Fla. and a sister-in-law, Lisa A. Simpson and her husband Ricky, Bluff City, Tenn. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral service for Timothy Scott “Bubba” Barnes will be conducted at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, March 23, 2008 in the Sunrise Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Services, Johnson City, Tenn. with Mr. Roland Whittemore and Mr. Brad Perry, ministers, officiating. Music will be under the direction of Stacy Ivester and Sabrina Arnold. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday prior to the funeral service. Graveside service and interment will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 24, 2008 in Poplar Ridge Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Larry (Drums) Brancaccio, Robbie Simpson, Brett Keppner, Joe Gregg, Daniel Arnold, Rickie W. Simpson, Jim (Conrad) Blankenbecler and Travis P. Hamilton. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Thomas R. Johnson, Dr. James G. Blom and Staff at the Regional Cancer Center, Dr. David Jones, Staff of 5200 Wing Johnson City Medical Center Hospital and the Staff of Master Entertainment Group. Everyone will meet at the funeral home at 12:00 noon to go in procession to the cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family electronically by visiting our web site and signing the guest book at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Obituary line: 543-4917. Office: (423) 610-7171