NASCAR Trucks: David Starr ready to run under the lights at Richmond
10 September 1999
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will take center stage on espn2 during prime time on Thursday night for a shootout under the lights of Richmond International Raceway. David Starr, driver of the No. 73 Sonntag Redi-Mix Concrete Chevrolet, is hoping to play a starring role in the outcome. "Richmond is a big event for the Truck Series," Starr said. "This is just the second and final time this season that the Trucks will be at the same track with the Winston Cup teams and the Busch Grand National guys. There are a lot of Truck drivers hoping to make an impression on some important people in NASCAR, and honestly, I'm hoping to stand out as well. "I can't wait much longer for that first top-10 finish and doing it in front of the Cup and Busch owners and drivers and sponsors would be a great boost to me and the entire Sonntag Racing team. We have had an up-and-down season so far, but there are some good tracks for us coming up on the schedule and I think we can close the season strong. Richmond is as good a place to start as any," Starr said with a grin. "With the race held under the lights on a tough short track, and live prime time TV coverage, you can expect to see some fireworks," Starr prophesized. "The Truck Series drivers don't back down and are not afraid to twist some sheet metal at any track, but with the added incentives at Richmond I think this will be a very memorable race." The Virginia is for Lovers 200 will be contested on Thursday, September 8 at 8:00 p.m. EDT and broadcast live on espn2 and MRN radio. A total of 200 circuits of the legendary 0.75-mile facility are scheduled to be run, but Starr feels that this race could see another few laps added due to the Truck Series rule which dictates races cannot finish under caution. "We have had quite a few races finish green-white-checkered this season and Richmond could be another one," Starr claims. "That is part of the excit ement of the Trucks since all races finish under green it often comes down to a three lap dash at the end. It is great for the fans and one of the unique things about the Truck Series since we are the only major NASCAR Touring series to have this green flag finish policy." Officially, seven of the 20 events contested this season have gone into "overtime" and had additional laps added for a green flag finish. A resident of Fort Worth, Texas, Starr is competing is his first full-season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He currently stands 21st in the Craftsman Truck Series standings and third in the USG SHEETROCK Brand Rookie-of-the-Year standings. Starr also runs a limited schedule in the Winston West series. For more information visit his web site at www.davidstarr.com.
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