Patrick Staropoli to make Xfinity Series debut at Martinsville with Sam Hunt Racing
Yesterday at 04:30 PM
Sam Hunt Racing (SHR) announced today that Retina Surgeon, (Dr.) Patrick Staropoli will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) debut at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, March 29th as part of a multi-race deal.
Staropoli, driving the No. 24 SYFOVRE (pegcetacoplan injection) GR Supra, is a second-generation driver from Plantation, Florida. Staropoli gained national recognition by winning the 2013 PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge. The Harvard graduate has beat out some of NASCAR’s top amateur drivers, including runner-up, and fellow Toyota driver, Chase Briscoe, to earn a spot with Bill McNally Racing in the ARCA West Series during the 2014 season.
"It‘s a dream come true to make my NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Martinsville Speedway" said Staropoli. "Really thankful to Sam Hunt for this opportunity and all the work the team is putting in so we can take a fast No. 24 Syfovre GR Supra to the racetrack."
Most recently, Staropoli captured a top-10 finish with Venturini Motorsports at Phoenix Raceway where he made his regional touring series return. Previously, Staropoli has made ten starts across the various ARCA series. With a 2014 ARCA West victory at Irwindale Speedway, Staropoli became the first Doctor in NASCAR history to win a race. Adding to his career, he also has a single start in the NASCAR Camping World Series.
As a board-certified medical and surgical retina specialist, Dr. Patrick Staropoli practices medicine for Retina Consultants of Texas, a Houston-based organization. He is a published researcher in various areas of clinical practice. The full-time physician and part-time racing driver finished his vitreoretinal surgery fellowship and ophthalmology residency at the nation’s top-ranked eye hospital, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.
"Our entire team is excited to work with Patrick and give him the shot he‘s been working towards for so long. He‘s an incredible person, extremely smart, and genuinely deserving of this opportunity" said team owner, Sam Hunt. "Our team is ready to embrace the challenge, and Patrick is working hard to be as prepared as possible for his debut in Martinsville. We‘re also excited to welcome Apellis/Syfovre to the Sam Hunt Racing family, and grateful for their support of this program."
Brian Gainey will continue to lead the effort as crew chief for the No. 24 team. Gainey has seen much success at fellow Toyota organization Joe Gibbs Racing, most recently serving as the car chief on the No. 20 NASCAR Xfinity team that won nine races and qualified to run for the owner‘s championship in Phoenix last fall.
Tune in to the Marine Corps 250 at Martinsville Speedway on March 29th at 5:00 PM ET. All NASCAR Xfinity Series races will be broadcast on the CW Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90.
— San Hunt Racing —
