STARR CLIMBS CLOSER TO TOP 10

Jul 14, 2007

STARR CLIMBS CLOSER TO TOP 10 After stringing together 4 top 15 finishes, David Starr and his International MaxxForce Diesel team were starting to put the slow start of the 2007 season behind them. The Kentucky Speedway with it’s high banks and multiple grooves was the perfect venue for Starr and crew chief Dennis Connor to continue to build on their solid finishes over the last 2 months.

To tackle the Built Ford Tough 225 presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers, Connor called on chassis CB-9. CB-9 is the same chassis that the International MaxxForce Diesel team utilized in Kansas and had proven itself to be one of the fastest trucks they’ve had all season. Off the hauler CB-9 put the International MaxxForce Diesel team in the top 15 on the speed charts but Connor was looking for better. The team made a shock package change and CB-9 started to come to life. Concentrating on race trim the International MaxxForce Diesel team clocked in, in the 18th position during qualifying. With the drop of the green flag Starr was charging to the front and in just 3 laps the International MaxxForce Diesel Ford F-150 was up to 12th. After the first caution Starr’s machine started to get tight off the corners. Starr was able to correct the tight off with a different line but when he did the International MaxxForce Diesel F-150 would get hard to handle on corner entry. Fifty laps into the Built Ford Tough 225 a caution would allow Starr to bring his Ford F-150 to the attention of Connor and the over the wall crew. The over the wall gang went to work, 4 Goodyear Wranglers, a full load of Sunoco fuel, trac bar adjustment and they added half a spring rubber to the right rear. The adjustments would cost the team 3 spots on pit road and the International MaxxForce Diesel Ford F-150 would return to action in the 16th position. Back under green Starr was picking off trucks and looking for the right groove for his International MaxxForce Diesel Ford F-150. The high groove was working in 1 & 2 but CB-9 preferred the low groove in 3 & 4. By the next caution Starr was up to 12th and still a little tight off the corners. Starr wheeled the International MaxxForce Diesel Ford F-150 to pit road for 4 fresh Goodyears, Sunoco Fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Back under green Starr was tangled up in heavy traffic a slight slip on lap 101 cost the team 3 spots back to 15th. Starr fought back and picked up the spots lost on lap 101 and was running laps times consistent with the leaders but needing valuable track position to make a run at the top 5. By the final lap Starr was back up to 12th, recording another top 15 effort and moving 2 positions closer (12th) to the top 10 in owners points.

Dennis Connor: “We were hoping we would be better and it shows the commitment this team has to being a contender every week. We can see the top 10 in points now and the top 10 on the racetrack we need to get there every week.”

David Starr; “I was hoping we would have a better finish. I thought our International MaxxForce Diesel Ford F-150 was better in practice and we’d be in the top-10 close to the top-5. Dennis and the guys kept working on the truck all night. We’re getting there; we’re getting better. This finish is not what we were looking for, we wanted to be in the top-10 or top-5. The truck is in one piece, so we’ll go to the next race and keep digging.”

The International MaxxForce Diesel Team will be in action when the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series holds round 14 of the 2007 season in the Power Stroke Diesel 200 presented by Ford and International at O’Reilly Raceway Park on Friday July 27th at 7:30 PM EST. For live trackside reports of practice and qualifying go to truckseries.com. Live coverage of the race provided by Speed, MRN and Sirius Radio.

Picture is of International MaxxForce Diesel Ford F-150 during the Built Ford Tough 225 presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers at Kentucky Speedway. Compliments of Ronda Greer.

For more got to www.davidstarr.com or www.circlebarracing.co