NASCAR BGN: Daytona qualifying more than just a race for David Starr [EMAIL] David Starr - Daytona BGN
8 February 2000
Like most NASCAR drivers, David Starr has had a lifelong dream of competing at Daytona International Speedway. As a child, he dreamed about winning the race. But now, as a 32-year old rookie in the Busch Series, Starr has a different perspective on the race. "The most important thing is to qualify," Starr admitted. "It's obvious that if you are not in the race then your chances of winning are gone. With age comes wisdom, and I now realize that the first step to accomplishing my childhood dreams is to qualify for the NAPA Auto Parts 300." In preparation for his qualifying run on the famed 2.5-mile superspeedway, Starr and the 31W Installations crew tested their No. 16 Pontiac Grand Prix at Daytona during the Busch Series test session. The team posted a fast lap of 49.572 seconds/181.554-mph on January 25. "Honestly, we weren't very happy with the results and were well off the pace of the leaders. The No. 16 team didn't race much last season so we don't have any provisionals to fall back on. There are 43 spots open for the race, and it looks like 70 to 80 cars - maybe more - will try to make the show. "I'm guessing that we need to run somewhere around a 48.7 to make sure we are in the field. That's eight-tenths (of a second) that we need to find somewhere in the next couple of weeks or so. It won't be easy, but the guys in the shop will work on the body and engine and we'll go back and give it our best shot," Starr said. The NAPA Auto Parts 300 will take place on Saturday, February 19, and be televised live at 12:00 p.m. Eastern on CBS and broadcast on MRN radio. The Bud Pole Qualifying session takes place on Wednesday, February 16 and will mark Starr's first official foray in the NASCAR Busch Series. He is not a total stranger to the Busch Series, however, as in 1994 he worked under Donnie Allison as a test driver and crewmember with the Premier Sports Marketing-Roy Payne Race Team. Starr will also tackle the famed 31-degree banks of Daytona in the Craftsman Truck Series behind the wheel of the No. 35 Unified Office Network Chevrolet Silverado. Last season he concentrated on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, making 24 starts and finishing 22nd in the overall points standings. "The week at Daytona is going to be very busy," Starr predicted. "I never dreamed that the very first time I get to race there it would be in two events. I'm going to be jumping back-and-forth between the Busch car and truck. There will be a lot of laps between the two, but that can only help me with drafting and learning the best line. I only hope that I can figure out how to eat with my helmet on since there won't be much time for lunch," he joked. In 2000 Starr plans to make frequent starts, but not a full season, in three NASCAR series. He will run the No. 16 - 31W Installations Pontiac Grand Prix in the Busch Series, the No. 35 Unified Office Network Chevrolet Silverado in the Craftsman Truck Series, and the No. 35 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the Winston West Series. For more information, visit Starr's official web site at www.davidstarr.com.