Motor Problems Early In The Day Were Only The Beginning Of Starr's Woes At Lowe's

David Starr would have liked nothing more than to get a win at Charlotte. Drivers agree that Charlotte has become the Mecca of racing. "I would rather win at Charlotte than to win at Daytona" Starr said before the race Friday night. Unfortunately victory lane would not be the final destination of the No. 11 Red Horse Racing Toyota.

Motor problems plagued the No. 11 early in the day long event at Lowe's Motor Speedway, giving the team little time to practice. As a result of the lack of track time Starr qualified in 31st position. The No. 11 Red Horse Racing Team hoped they had their motor problems solved, and a fast truck to weave their way through the 36 truck field.

"We will work on this truck all night to get it to the front," promised crew chief Jamie Jones. It did not take long after the green flag waved for action to begin. At lap 4 a caution waved, a spin by rookie Marcos Ambrose sparked a chain reaction sending Jack Sprague and others spinning through the infield. Starr complained of being very tight through the centers and pushing the nose of the truck badly. Jones decided to bring the No. 11 down pit road. The Red Horse Racing Team made a significant track bar adjustment as well as topped the truck off with fuel.

After the pit stop Starr restarted in the 28th position. Starr continued to fight with the handling of his truck, going a lap down early in the race. On lap 31 Starr complained that his truck was too loose. The Red Horse Racing team struggled to find balance with the truck.

The Red Horse Racing Crew got the break they had been looking for when the caution flag waved on lap 46 for debris as the No. 11 truck desperately needed adjustments. The Red Horse Racing team pitted for more track bar adjustments and changes in air pressure, which seemed to help Starr's truck slightly.

By the half way mark Starr was running in the 31st position and still fighting with the handling of the truck in each of the four corners. At the Lap 85 caution, Starr reported to the team, "That last change really helped, give me some more of that". The previous changes helped Starr's truck turn through the corners.

The Red Horse Racing pit crew made more track bar adjustments and removed rubbers from the right rear tire, tremendously helping the No. 11 Toyota Tundra.

Despite the problems, Starr and the Red Horse Racing Team remained patient as they inched their way through the field. A rash of cautions near the end of the race helped Starr to catch several trucks moving him up to the 26th position.

Following a frustrating start to such a promising day at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Starr brought the No. 11 Red Horse Racing Toyota home to a 26th place finish. The finish dropped Starr one spot to seventh in the overall point standings.