David Starr's week leading up to the Lucas Oil 150 has been busy. On Monday Starr visited the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas to visit and sign autographs for the patients and their families. On Tuesday he departed for several appearances at Zachry work sites across the state of Arizona.

You've run well at Phoenix and have a win there in 2004. What's your frame of mind coming into this weekend's race? "I'm excited to get out there. I love to race and Phoenix is a great track to get out there and race on. We are coming out of our race at Texas and our 1.5-mile program is really starting to come around. We're confident that's finally going in the right direction and now we're moving on to Phoenix and we're going to run well there too. The track configuration is really fun for the drivers and it's going to give the fans a great show. We have two races left and we haven't had a win yet this year so we're working hard to get our Zachry Toyota in victory lane before the year is over."

How has the setup of the truck changed since you won there in 2004? "It's been a tremendous change, as our industry is always changing. In 2004 we didn't have coil binding and we didn't run splitters.  It's going to come down to handling, just like it does when we are at Atlanta and Texas.  The truck that handles the best - rolls and rotates through the center and is strong coming off the corner - is going to go to the front."

Does the track change a lot between the heat of the day and once the sun goes down and it cools off? "It really does. In the heat of the day it loses grip. Once the sun goes down, the track cools down and it gains grip and makes for better racing. I love racing at night anyhow. It's like going back to your roots for those of us that grew up racing on the short tracks. There's just something magical about racing under the lights."

How different is the track now that they've added the extra room off turn two? "Whenever you're racing hard with someone you always want all the room you can get. It's good to have it if you're trying to make a pass. Even before they made the change it was exactly the same for everyone. We all had to find a way to make it work. But now that there's more room back there I think they made the track a lot better."

Red Horse Racing Partners with Embassy Suites:  The Embassy Suites Phoenix North hotel is Red Horse Racing's preferred hotel for the upcoming Casino Arizona 150 at Phoenix International Raceway. The Embassy Suites Phoenix North hotel is set in 17 lush acres, close to the University of Phoenix Stadium - home of the Arizona Cardinals and the 2008 Super Bowl. The hotel is also in close proximity to many local attractions, including downtown Phoenix, the Anthem Outlet Mall, the Peoria Sports Complex, historic Scottsdale, and the Grand Canyon.

David's Phoenix Appearance:  David will be making an appearance at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday from 11 AM to Noon at the Midway Display booth of his sponsor, Zachry.  Stop by to get an autograph and to learn of the opportunities available with Zachry. 

Crew Chief Rick Gay Thoughts: "We are taking a truck this week to Phoenix that has been a very good one for us.  I am looking forward to Phoenix as it is a track much like Gateway and Loudon. We have done well at tracks like this so far and I feel Phoenix will be a good race for us."

Phoenix Chassis:  For this week's race at Phoenix, crew chief Rick Gay has chosen TRD 43. This will be the fifth time that Starr has raced this chassis in the 2008 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, as he raced it at Martinsville Speedway in March, Mansfield Motorsports Park in May, Milwaukee Mile in June and most recently at Gateway International Raceway in September.  The truck has been a good performer for Starr and Red Horse Racing with a second and seventh place finishes to its credit.

David's Phoenix Stats: David has eight career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Phoenix. He has scored one win (2004), one top-five finish, and three top-ten finishes. He has completed 1,082 out of a possible 1,202 competition laps (90.0%). His average start is 20.4 and his average finish is 15.5.