Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Championsonline.com’s Michael Barnes pulled out of the Formula USA event at Barber Motorsports Park Saturday due to conjunctivitis (commonly referred to as “pink eye”) in both his eyes.

“It feels like I’ve got something in both eyes, and they’re drying out from the antibiotics,” Barnes told Roadracingworld.com shortly before leaving the track. “I’m not all there. I’m just riding nervously. All I can think about is the AMA race at Road Atlanta.”

Barnes, who currently sits seventh in AMA Supersport points, only three points behind fifth-place Jason DiSalvo, added that he will retire from professional motorcycle road racing at the end of the 2004 season and pursue a career in real estate.