David Starr is proving that age is just a number in NASCAR. At 57, the Texas native will climb back into the cockpit for his 19th career NASCAR Cup Series start on June 28, 2025, driving the No. 66 Ford Mustang for Garage 66 in the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. His return isn’t just a nostalgia act—it’s a gritty, blue-collar comeback that reflects a career rooted in perseverance, humility, and the sheer love of the sport.
Key Highlights
Starr began his NASCAR journey in the late ‘90s, rising through Truck and Xfinity ranks.
He’s tallied four Truck Series victories, including one at Gateway that defined his early momentum.
With 268 Xfinity starts, Starr has outlasted many peers and remained competitive into his late 50s.
His Cup Series experience includes races with underfunded teams, always battling above his equipment.
The 2025 return marks Starr’s 19th Cup start and first at EchoPark’s new high-speed layout.
A Long Road in Racing: Starr’s NASCAR Legacy
Starr began his NASCAR career in the late 1990s, quickly becoming one of the sport’s most recognizable journeymen. With four Truck Series wins, a top-five championship finish in 2006, and 268 Xfinity Series starts, his resume runs deep. Though his Cup Series presence has been limited, each outing—especially with underfunded teams—demonstrates his tenacity and commitment.
His 18 prior Cup starts were rarely under ideal conditions, but Starr consistently showed up, worked hard, and raced clean. That approach made him a fan favorite and an enduring presence in NASCAR’s three national series.
Garage 66: The Underdog Partnership
Garage 66, formerly MBM Motorsports, is a team built on hustle, creativity, and tight budgets. Owned by Carl Long, it’s the kind of operation where everyone pitches in—and where racers like Starr can still chase their dreams. For Starr, the team is a perfect fit: gritty, unpretentious, and willing to fight against the odds.
WNB Factory Wings N Burgers is leading the sponsorship, joined by Roofing Georgia/NGE Decks, Coble Enterprises, and Carter’s Royal Dispos-all. The garage, the driver, and the sponsors all share the same no-frills, do-the-work ethos.
Tackling EchoPark Speedway’s New Challenges
The track formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway now features superspeedway-style racing: tighter packs, higher speeds, and more chaos. That means Starr isn’t just racing at age 57—he’s adapting to a radically new style of racing.
Despite the reconfiguration, Starr is optimistic. It will be his first Cup Series start on the new layout, but his eighth-place Xfinity finish at Talladega in 2024 showed he can still thrive in high-speed traffic.
A Race Built on Heart and Grit
Starr’s return reminds fans that NASCAR still has room for passion projects. He’s not chasing trophies—he’s chasing the joy of racing. The buzz around his return isn’t about winning. It’s about what he represents: the blue-collar roots of stock car racing, where dedication means more than dollars.
Starr’s presence also highlights the reality for underfunded teams, who rely on experienced drivers to stretch every sponsor dollar. Garage 66 isn’t just fielding a car—they’re putting up a fight for relevance in a sport increasingly divided between haves and have-nots.
News In Brief: David Starr Comeback 2025
As David Starr prepares to take the green flag at EchoPark Speedway, his return becomes more than a personal triumph—it becomes a symbol of resilience and racing’s soul. He may not have the fastest car, but he carries with him decades of wisdom, respect, and unshakable spirit.
For fans, Starr is more than a driver. He’s a throwback to NASCAR’s working-class roots, where grit and determination mattered more than money and youth. And for one night in Atlanta, the No. 66 Ford Mustang will carry that legacy onto the track.
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