Venturini Motorsports has announced that Patrick Staropoli will drive the No. 25 Toyota Camry in select ARCA Menards Series races this season, starting at Friday’s ARCA Menards Series race at Phoenix Raceway on March 7.
Staropoli’s other starts that he will make this season include Talladega Superspeedway (April 26), Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 23), Bristol Motor Speedway (September 11), and the ARCA East Series return to Rockingham Speedway (April 18).
The 35-year-old gained national recognition after winning the 2013 Peak Stock Car Dream Challenge, a reality TV show in which the winner would join Michael Waltrip’s driver development program. Notably, he had beaten the current NASCAR Cup Series driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, Chase Briscoe.
The Plantation, Florida native has one career ARCA Menards Series start to go along with five starts in ARCA East and four starts in ARCA West dating back to 2013. Staropoli finished 21st in his lone ARCA Menards Series start at Daytona in 2015, driving the No. 82 Ford for Empire Racing. Staropoli claimed his first victory in the ARCA West Series in 2014 for Bill McAnally Racing at the now defunct Irwindale Speedway.
Staropoli also has made a one-off NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start for Young’s Motorsports, piloting the No. 07 Chevrolet Silverado to a 31st-place finish in the 2016 season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway.
Staropoli also holds the distinction of being the first doctor to win in ARCA Menards Series history. Staropoli attended Harvard University and graduated in 2012 before attending the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, graduating in 2017.
“This is an incredible moment. It’s been a lifetime of sacrifices and hard work to get back to this point and continue racing,” said Staropoli in a press release with the team. “I’ve dedicated my life to medicine and racing, and now being able to combine the two is truly a dream come true.”
“I’ve spent years eating, sleeping, and dreaming of this moment, and now it’s all coming together at the perfect time in my life.”
The General Tire 150 at Phoenix Raceway will air live on FS1 at 8 pm EST on Saturday, March 7.
