NASCAR Trucks: A Weekend of Firsts for David Starr
29 July 1999
It is not unusual for rookie drivers to experience many firsts during a race weekend, but David Starr will have more than his fair share heading into Sunday's Craftsman Truck Series race. This will be his first visit to the 1.058-mile New Hampshire International Speedway. This will be Starr's first time in a truck purchased just days prior to the running of the Pennzoil/VIP Discount Auto 200. And finally, while technically not a "first," this will be only the second time that new sponsor Nitro Fish will adorn the No. 73 Chevrolet. "This should be an interesting weekend for the Nitro Fish team," Starr admitted. "We picked up this truck just a couple of days ago. It was one that Randy Tolsma ran last season and we've got to be cautious since we have got to make it last through 200 laps here so we can pack it up and head on to Indianapolis next week." The new acquisition is the third truck in the Sonntag Racing stable and the purchase was precipitated by accidents that rendered the other two trucks unraceable. "Our short track truck was damaged in Nashville and it hasn't come back from North Carolina where it is getting a new body hung," said Ronnie Simmons, team crewchief. "And then last week at Michigan our superspeedway truck was banged up pretty good in that incident with (Austin) Cameron. We haven't got that one put back together yet. "It will be interesting to see how this Chevrolet handles compared to our other trucks," Starr said. "It will take some time to get used to the feel of it and figure out the proper setup so practice will be critical," Starr explained. "But more importantly, we need to get this new truck through the weekend in clean condition so we can pack it up and head straight for Indianapolis. That race takes place on Thursday so we only have three days to prepare it before practice begins." Fans may have noticed the prehistoric fish logo on the side of Starr's No. 73 Chevrolet at Michigan. This marked the entry of Nitro Fish to the sport of NASCAR racing, though they currently have a presence in motorsports through sponsorship of an NHRA Funny Car. Nitro Fish sells apparel, decals, and other items featuring their unique logo, and fans interested in their products can see their trailer at the track or visit their web site at www.nitrofish.com. "The addition of Nitro Fish to our team has really boosted the morale of all the guys. We have been working hard to try and locate a sponsor and had run into nothing but brick walls. I can't believe how quickly this deal came together - I think it was just a couple of days from when we started talking," Starr explained. "Nitro Fish has a great logo and a super attitude towards the Craftsman Truck Series," he added. "They gave us a three race package that runs through Indianapolis but said if all goes well they might consider sponsorship for the remainder of the season." The Pennzoil/VIP Discount Auto 200 will be held on Sunday, August 1 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN and MRN radio. Qualifications take place a day earlier at 4:00 p.m. EDT. A resident of Ft. Worth, Starr currently stands 21st in the overall points standings and third in the USG SHEETROCK Brand Rookie-of-the-Year standings. He also races a limited Winston West schedule in the #35 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. For more information visit his web site at www.davidstarr.com. # # #