Patrick Staropoli Bio
Patrick Charles Staropoli (born November 10, 1989) is an American retina surgeon and professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the NASCAR Truck Series, and the ARCA Menards Series. Staropoli is recognized for balancing a demanding medical career with periodic returns to NASCAR competition.
A native of Plantation, Florida, Staropoli has competed for teams including Sam Hunt Racing, Cook Racing Technologies, and Venturini Motorsports, driving Toyota entries across the three series. His return to NASCAR in 2025 after a nine-year absence drew attention because of his unusual dual career as a physician and a driver.
Early Life and Background
Patrick Charles Staropoli was born on November 10, 1989, in Plantation, Florida, where he was raised. He is the son of Nick Staropoli Jr. and Arlene Staropoli, and he has a sister named Devon. Both his father and grandfather were past racers, and Staropoli attended races from the time he was six months old, fostering a lifelong connection to motorsports.
He was educated at Plantation High School, where he graduated in 2008 as the valedictorian of his class. While in high school, he served as vice president of the school’s National Honor Society branch, competed in rocket competitions, and volunteered as a spokesman for an anti-drug organization. His strong academic performance allowed him to eventually move into the Super Late Models division for his family’s race team.
After high school, Staropoli attended Harvard University, initially majoring in engineering with hopes of becoming a team engineer in NASCAR or Formula One. He later switched his major to neurobiology during his sophomore year and graduated from Harvard in 2012 with summa cum laude honors.
Path to NASCAR
Staropoli began his racing path at age 13 with go-karts in Naples, Florida. After a year, he advanced to the Pure Stocks division, an entry-level stock car racing category. He later moved into the Super Late Models division for his family’s race team after achieving straight As throughout his grade school years.
His professional opportunity came in 2013, when he was invited to compete in the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge, a reality television show organized by Michael Waltrip Racing. Staropoli won the competition out of 10 finalists, earning a part-time ride in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series for Bill McAnally Racing. He made his debut in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at Spokane, finishing fifth, and in 2014 earned his first victory in the West Series at Irwindale.
While pursuing his medical education at the University of Miami, Staropoli continued to balance racing. In 2015, he made his debut in the fourth-tier ARCA Racing Series at Daytona for Empire Racing, and in 2016, he made his NASCAR Truck Series debut at Homestead–Miami in a partnership entry between Young’s Motorsports and SS-Green Light Racing.
Patrick Staropoli Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
Staropoli’s early professional career was defined by his work in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. After winning the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge in 2013, he competed for Bill McAnally Racing in both the East and West divisions. In March 2014, he earned his first victory in the West Series at Irwindale and added a top five later that season. He also recorded three top tens in the East Series, with a best finish of sixth at Bristol.
Starting in 2015, Staropoli faced a direct conflict between his medical school work at the University of Miami and his racing career. After a sponsorship deal failed to materialize in the winter of 2015, he took a brief hiatus to focus on medical school. He returned to racing that September for Bill McAnally, retiring in both of his starts at Richmond and Dover, while also making his ARCA Racing Series debut at Daytona in February for Empire Racing.
ARCA Menards Series Debut (2015–Present)
Staropoli made his ARCA Racing Series debut in February 2015 at Daytona for Empire Racing. The ARCA Menards Series, the fourth tier of NASCAR, gave him an opportunity to stay race-ready while attending medical school. In 2025, Staropoli returned to the series with Venturini Motorsports in the No. 25 Toyota Camry.
He made his 2025 season debut in the ARCA Menards Series at Phoenix on March 7, finishing eighth after recovering from a spin. The result reflected both his rust and his persistence, as he adapted to a part-time schedule while continuing his medical practice.
NASCAR Truck Series Return (2016, 2025)
Staropoli’s first NASCAR national series start came in the Truck Series at Homestead–Miami in 2016, where he finished 31st in a partnership entry between Young’s Motorsports and SS-Green Light Racing. After that start, he stepped away from national NASCAR competition to focus on his medical career for several years.
He returned to the Truck Series in 2025 with Cook Racing Technologies, driving the No. 84 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. His first Truck Series start in over nine seasons came at Martinsville, where he finished 20th, marking a notable comeback to national series racing.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Debut (2025)
Staropoli made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in 2025 at Martinsville, driving the No. 24 Toyota GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing. He finished 16th in the start, which came the day after his Truck Series race at the same track. The debut represented his first start in the second-tier national series of NASCAR.
The Xfinity opportunity allowed Staropoli to race at one of the sport’s most demanding short tracks. His Martinsville performance was a steady introduction to the series and laid the groundwork for additional part-time starts in 2025.
Sam Hunt Racing Era (2025–Present)
Staropoli joined Sam Hunt Racing for his 2025 Xfinity Series program, driving the No. 24 Toyota GR Supra on a part-time basis. The team pairing allowed him to compete at the national series level while continuing his work as a retina surgeon. His Martinsville debut produced a 16th-place finish, providing a measured starting point for the relationship with the team.
With Sam Hunt Racing, Staropoli gained access to a competitive Toyota-backed operation and the chance to build experience on varied track types. The arrangement reflects a flexible schedule designed to accommodate his medical practice.
Driving Style and Strengths
Staropoli’s driving has been shaped by years of road racing and short-track discipline. His short-track background, including a win at Irwindale in the K&N Pro Series West, has translated into confidence on tight, abrasive surfaces like Martinsville. His focus on consistency and clean execution is consistent with a driver balancing racing with a professional medical career.
Notable Races and Milestones
Among Staropoli’s signature moments is his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series West victory at Irwindale in March 2014, a breakthrough win in his early professional career. His 2025 Xfinity Series debut at Martinsville marked his first national series start in nine years, while his Truck Series return at the same track signaled his commitment to maintaining a presence in NASCAR.
Patrick Staropoli Career Wins
Patrick Staropoli’s verified professional wins include a victory in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at Irwindale in March 2014. Across the ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Truck Series, and NASCAR Xfinity Series, no additional victories have been confirmed from available sources.
K&N Pro Series West Highlights
Staropoli’s first series victory came in March 2014 at Irwindale, where he drove for Bill McAnally Racing. The win was his most notable result in the division, and he added one more top five later that season. His 2013 debut at Spokane had produced a fifth-place finish, establishing him as a capable front-runner in the series.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the K&N Pro Series West, Staropoli has competed in late model and modified divisions, with consistent but not victorious performances. His 2025 ARCA start at Phoenix, where he finished eighth after a spin, demonstrated continued competitiveness despite limited seat time. His Truck Series and Xfinity Series starts at Martinsville in 2025 marked his return to NASCAR national series competition.
Patrick Staropoli Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Patrick Charles Staropoli is the son of Nick Staropoli Jr. and Arlene Staropoli. He has a sister named Devon. Both his father and grandfather were past racers, and the family has long ties to motorsports. The 2001 racing accident involving his father at Hialeah Speedway influenced his decision to enter medicine.
Personal Life
Outside of racing, Staropoli works as a retina surgeon at the Retina Consultants of Texas. In 2024, he launched Driving to Fight Blindness, an awareness campaign focused on retinal diseases. In 2010, he was diagnosed with coeliac disease, and he has cited Jeff Gordon as his favorite driver.
2025 Season Performance
Patrick Staropoli’s 2025 season began with a part-time schedule across three series. He made his season debut in the ARCA Menards Series at Phoenix on March 7, finishing eighth for Venturini Motorsports after recovering from a spin. The start marked his return to NASCAR national series competition after a nine-year absence.
At Martinsville, Staropoli ran a busy weekend, finishing 20th in the Truck Series for Cook Racing Technologies on Saturday and 16th in the Xfinity Series for Sam Hunt Racing the following day. The back-to-back Martinsville appearances underscored his commitment to a return to NASCAR while balancing his medical career.
As of May 2025, Staropoli’s part-time status has limited his points eligibility in the Xfinity Series. His 2025 schedule is expected to include additional ARCA, Truck, and Xfinity starts, and his on-track results will determine any expanded opportunities later in the year.