Ladies and Gentlemen, the doctor is in!
Dr. Patrick Staropoli, a board-certified medical and surgical retina specialist, has been tapped by NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series operation Big Machine Racing to compete full-time in the second-tier division in 2026.
Staropoli will get behind the wheel of the No. 48 SYFOVRE (pegcetacoplan injection) Chevrolet, beginning with the February 14 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.
“From the moment I buckled into a pure stock at Hialeah Speedway in 2023, my life’s goal has been to compete at the top levels of this sport,” said Staropoli. “The path has taken many unexpected turns, but after working every day for 23 years in pursuit of this dream, I now have the opportunity of a lifetime thanks to Scott Borchetta, Patrick Donahue, and Chevrolet. I am ready to do whatever it takes to put this SYFOVRE Chevy up front and raise awareness for Geographic Atrophy secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration by combining my passion for motorsports and medicine.”
A third-generation driver from Plantation, Florida, Staropoli first gained national attention after winning the 2013 PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge to become a Michael Waltrip Racing development driver, emerging ahead of top talents like NASCAR Cup Series race-winner Chase Briscoe. The 36-year-old earned himself a seat with Bill McAnally Racing in the ARCA Menards Series West, where he captured a victory at Irwindale in 2014.
“We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Patrick Staropoli to the No. 48 Big Machine Racing team for the 2026 season,” said Patrick Donahue, Crew Chief and Team Manager. “He brings a rare blend of professionalism, focus, and drive that will continue to strengthen our organization. This partnership reflects our commitment to surrounding the team with individuals who share our values and vision for building long-term success.”
After nearly a decade on the sidelines, Staropoli returned to the ranks of NASCAR’s National Series in 2025, competing in four NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (Xfinity Series) events for Sam Hunt Racing and four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events for Cook Racing Technologies — earning two top-20s in both the O’Reilly Series and Truck Series.
The hiring of Dr. Patrick Staropoli comes after the surprising news earlier this month that Nick Sanchez, who earned the team’s second victory last Summer at EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta), had been released from the organization ahead of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign. Sanchez said in an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that the move was “strictly business” on the part of Big Machine Racing.
Staropoli will take on the 33-race NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign in 2026 with Big Machine Racing, starting with the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway on February 14. Coverage will be at 5:30 PM ET on The CW, Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
