David Starr (racing driver)
A durable and respected NASCAR journeyman whose four Truck Series wins and consistent professionalism made him a beloved fixture in the garage for decades.
Born 1967 (age 59)·American racing driver·Birthday: October 11·Generation X
Biography
David Starr represents the heart of NASCAR's working class—a driver whose talent and perseverance forged a remarkably long career across the sport's top series. Hailing from Texas, he cut his teeth in the tough ASA and ARCA circuits before breaking into NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series in the late 1990s. While never landing a top-tier Cup ride for a full season, he became a stalwart in the Truck and Xfinity Series, known for his clean driving and ability to maximize equipment. His four Truck Series wins, including a dramatic victory at Martinsville in 2002, are testaments to his skill. Starr's longevity, competing into his late fifties, speaks to a deep respect from team owners who valued his experience and steady hands, making him a mentor to younger drivers and a fan favorite for his approachable, blue-collar demeanor.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
David was born in 1967, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1967
#1 Movie
The Jungle Book
Best Picture
In the Heat of the Night
#1 TV Show
The Andy Griffith Show
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1967Born
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1972Started school
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1980Became a teenager
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1983Could drive
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1985Could vote
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1988Turned 21
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1997Turned 30
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2007Turned 40
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 50
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 59 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races, including at tracks like Martinsville and Texas.
- Made over 500 combined starts across NASCAR's three national series (Cup, Xfinity, Truck).
- Competed in NASCAR's premier Cup Series, earning a career-best finish of 13th at Dover in 2003.
Did You Know?
He is an accomplished drummer and has played in bands.
He worked in his family's air conditioning business before racing full-time.
His first major racing sponsorship came from a company that made additives for livestock feed.
He is known for his distinctive, deep Texas accent and friendly interactions with fans.
“You show up every week, work on the car, and race it as hard as you can.”
