The Frontstretch: David Starr Driver Diary by David Starr -- Thursday February 16, 2006

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David Starr Driver Diary

David Starr · Thursday February 16, 2006

 

We are just coming into the first race of the season, and 2006 has already been an eventful year for me. I’m starting the season off with a new team, Red Horse Racing, and I’m excited about what we are about to do.

At the end of the 2005 season, after four years together, I decided to leave the Spears Racing Team. Wayne and Connie Spears gave me a huge opportunity and they will always have a special place in my heart. They gave me my big break to run full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with a fully funded team. I was able to win three races and we had a lot of good finishes. I will always cherish my time with the team, but things kind of went a little stale last year. At the beginning of the season, we thought we would be a contender for the championship and win two or three races, but that just wasn’t the case. It was just time for a change for me and for them, so we parted ways on good terms. They were kind of like a family to me and there are no bad feelings. With that being said, I’m looking forward to working with my new team and my new owners, and I’m excited about the upcoming racing season.

My relationship with Red Horse Racing began shortly before the end of the 2005 season. Team owner Marty Gaunt called me and asked me if I was interested in talking to them. Dang right I was interested in talking to them! At first, I thought someone was playing a joke. After talking to them, I decided it would be a good fit for me, and they obviously decided I would be a good fit for their team. They thought they were going to run a two truck team, but they ended up with only one truck.

We have also switched our truck number from No. 38 to No. 11, and the history behind that number is pretty impressive. Some of my racing idols have run the No. 11, so to have that number on my truck is pretty cool.

This is a great opportunity for me. Being with a new manufacturer like Toyota, and working with the owners, Marty Gaunt, Jeff Hammond and Tom DeLoach, has just been great. We’ve only been together for two months, we haven’t even run our first race, and they have already exceeded my expectations.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with my new crew chief, Jamie Jones, while we were testing in Daytona. Our communication on the radio was so good, I really believe we will work well together this season.

Not only am I with a new team, but I’m also with a new manufacturer. So far, the transition from Chevy to Toyota hasn’t been too hard. The challenge has been learning all of the new people, the new engineers, and all of the people from Toyota because there are so many of them.

We also have new uniforms, new hero cards for the race fans, and we are creating the new website. We haven’t gotten our website done yet, but we are working hard to get it done. Being with a new team, and this being our first race together, we need some new pictures and stuff for the website, but we’re working on all of that.

But right now, my main focus is on Daytona. We had such a great test at there that I couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face during the three days testing. I have a fast truck that handles so good, it’s awesome. My dream has always been to win a race at Daytona, and if we can do that it will be incredible. I have a team that has so much enthusiasm we believe we can win the race if we have some luck on our side. The most important thing is to get this year started off with a good run and that’s what we plan to do. We want to make sure we run all the laps and be there at the end to contend for the win, and I believe we have a good shot at that.

There is so much enthusiasm among my guys "" they are excited to have me and I’m excited to be part of their team. Every time I’m at the shop, it seems like they’re just always running, it’s just incredible. I like to work with people that have the heart, desire and enthusiasm that I have, because this is what makes me tick. I eat, sleep and drink this stuff.

My goal for the season is to win four or five races, and then be a contender for the championship. This team has been together for a while, they won a race last year, and we’ve got everything we need. I could tell you that my realistic goals are maybe a top-ten finish in points and a couple of wins, but that’s just not true. This team has good equipment, great people working on the truck, great owners, and a lot of support from Toyota, and that gives us the opportunity to accomplish great things.

The first thing I plan to do is win a race, because I didn’t win one last year. Of course, after I win a race I want more, and if we can do that and be consistent with our finishes, at the end of the year we will be racing for a championship. I think that’s a realistic goal for our team.

I’m always excited, but this season "" to be working with a new group of people "" I’m even more so. To be to be on the same team as Jeff Hammond, with everything he’s accomplished in this industry, is quite an honor. Man, I’ve got high expectations this season, and now I’m ready to go out there on the track and reach them.

 

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HUDSON HORNET
02/18/2006 10:55 PM
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Your confidence impresses me David. Now you’ve gotten me all excited and hoping you reach your goals this season.

I know you must be under a lot of pressure to succeed but, this is probably going to add a little more….......

I won’t drink another beer until you win a race.

I’m counting on you.

When you win your second race this season, I’ll make up for lost time. For sure I’ll be in need of a designated driver that day.

Best of success!

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