One year ago NASCAR Camping World Truck Series veteran driver David Starr was in the uncomfortable position of being without a ride for the first time in nearly thirteen years. The team Starr was racing for was suffering financial difficulties and suspended operations just days before the NCWTS race scheduled at the Chicagoland Speedway.
A last minute deal was struck between Starr and SS Green Light Racing owners Ken Smith and Bobby Dotter and the long-time NCWTS team was able to ready an entry for Starr to keep his streak of starting every race since 2004 alive. Starr was paired with veteran crew chief Butch Miller for the Friday evening race at the mile and a half speedway located just south of the Windy City.
David made the most of the opportunity by finishing an impressive tenth driving one of the teams back-up trucks and continued to drive for the SS Green Light Racing team for the balance of the 2011 season finishing ninth in the drivers standings.
“It was a real shame we lost a tire at the end of the Atlanta race; it cost us a real good finish,” explained Starr. “Everybody on our SS Green Light Racing team is looking forward to Chicago are we’re excited to get back to the track and have a strong run.”
“Our goal is to finish in the top-ten in the point standings and we need a little luck to go our way and a couple of strong finishes over these next few races to get us there.”
In two previous NCWTS races at the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway, David’s average start is 14.5 and average finish is 16.0. He started twelfth and finished tenth last year in his debut with SS Green Light Racing.
“Chicago is a great racetrack; it’s a fast track. You need a real good handling truck to run up front. I’m real excited about the truck that my crew chief Jason Miller and engineer Matt Faulker have prepared for this week. All the guys on the team have worked real hard to have our Zachry/ASI Limited/NCCER Toyota ready.”
“Chicago was the first race I drove last year for Ken and Bobby, I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity and the support they have given me. The last year has been good, but the future is even brighter. I see this team getting better every race, I’m real excited about the direction this team is heading.”
ASI Limited and the NCCER “Build your Future” campaign will provide associates sponsorship this week on the No. 81 Toyota.
The Fast Five 225 is the 263rd consecutive NCWTS start for the SS Green Light Racing team and the 283rd career start for Starr in the Truck Series. David has four victories, 47 top-fives and 114 top-tens through his 14-year career including two top-fives and seven top-tens so far in 2011.
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