NASCAR Trucks: Starr Honored by Speedway Children's Charities

24 December 1998

Arlington, Texas - NASCAR driver David Starr was honored on December 1 by the Speedway Children's Charities as one of their five "Volunteers of the Year."

Starr and his uncle, Mike Starr, also a recipient of the volunteer award, helped to raise $35,000 by hosting a special day at their Team Texas High Performance Driving School where all proceeds were donated to the Speedway Children's Charities. Additionally, Starr visited with sick children during races at the Texas Motor Speedway posing for photos, signing autographs, and sharing laughs.

"I enjoy visiting with the children," Starr said. "I wish that I could do more to help them, but this is something that my uncle and I can offer. The Speedway Children's Charities is a great organization and they distribute the money into a lot of different areas. They do good things and it is an honor to be recognized for my contributions, although they really should be the ones receiving recognition for what they do."

This year nearly $215,000 was awarded to 76 different organizations in the Dallas area. Among those receiving grants were:

	American Red Cross
	Boys & Girls Clubs
	Boy Scouts, Longhorn Council
	Cook Children's Hospital
	Medical Center of Dallas
	Children's Performing Arts
	YMCA of Metro Fort Worth
	Arlington Museum of Arts
        Fort Worth Public Library Foundation
	Texas Girls Choir

The grants and volunteer awards were given as part of the second annual tree lighting ceremony at the Texas Motor Speedway. A winter wonderland complete with Santa Claus, hay rides, hot air balloons, and holiday music added to the festive atmosphere.

"Speedway Children's Charities is dedicated to helping local non-profit children's organizations. We work throughout the year to raise money for the various groups and the tree lighting event is a wonderful way to distribute the funds," said Alicia Jenkens, director for the Texas Chapter of the Speedway Children's Charities. Additional chapters are located in Atlanta, Ga.; Bristol, Tenn.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Sonoma, Calif.

Besides David and Mike, the other volunteer awards recipients were David Pakebasch (Special Events Manager TMS), Tim Alton (TMS Operations), and Ron Vaughn (oversees the charity golf tournament).

Starr is driver of the Reher-Morrison Chevrolet in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He also pilots the Team Texas Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the Winston West Series. For more information, visit his web site at www.davidstarr.com. Details on the Team Texas High Performance Driving School can be found on the Internet at www.teamtexas.com.