The Sam Hunt Racing driver lineup will expand at Martinsville Speedway as the organization welcomes a full-time retina surgeon/part-time racer.
According to a press release, Dr. Patrick Staropoli will join the team at the historic short track on March 29. This will be his first start in the No. 24 Toyota GR Supra, and it will kick off a multi-race deal. He will work with crew chief Brian Gainey, who celebrated numerous wins as an engineer at Joe Gibbs Racing before moving to Sam Hunt Racing.
The Florida native will continue his rise through the racing ranks as he takes on the Xfinity Series for the first time. He previously joined SS Green Light Racing for a Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2016.
Staropoli also made multiple starts in the ARCA Menards Series West and ARCA Menards Series East while scoring a win at Irwindale Speedway in 2014. He became the first retina surgeon and first doctor in NASCAR history to win a race.
Diagnosis: Need for speed. Treatment: Full throttle.
The Doctor is in! @97patrickstar signs multi-race deal starting at Martinsville Speedway piloting the No. 24 Syfovre GR Supra. #SpeedSurgeon | #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/RSD1kIUrRw
— Sam Hunt Racing (@Team_SHR26) March 19, 2025
Staropoli recently made his return to the race car while preparing for this move to the Xfinity Series. He joined ARCA Menards Series powerhouse Venturini Motorsports at Phoenix Raceway, and he finished eighth.
"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, in a statement.
"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."
Dr. Staropoli is the first retina surgeon to join Sam Hunt Racing, but he is not the first person to drive the No. 24 Toyota GR Supra this season.
He follows Ryan Truex and Corey Heim, who drove the entry at Daytona International Speedway and Circuit of the Americas, respectively. Heim will also control the No. 24 Toyota this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.