David Starr will compete in the season-opening NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Daytona International Speedway for Joey Gase Motorsports, the team revealed Jan. 21.
Starr will pilot the No. 53 with sponsorship from Apex Wireless.
“Daytona is one of the most iconic tracks in the world, and having partners who represent purpose and service makes this opportunity even more meaningful,” Starr said in a team release. “Apex Wireless and Cell Phones For Soldiers are making a real difference, and I’m honored to help bring awareness to their mission.”
Starr is the first driver announced to the Gase program for 2026. In 2025, the team fielded the Nos. 35 and 53 full time.
In 2025, Starr appeared in three O’Reilly races, all for Gase. His best finish of 18th came at Talladega Superspeedway.
Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.
At his day job, he's a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio -- you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.