Street racing legend Daddy Dave, known to millions from the Discovery series *Street Outlaws*, was nearly killed in 2015 when his truck, Goliath, slammed into a concrete wall at high speed. The crash left him with head trauma, back damage, and internal bruising, and fans feared the worst. I thought I was done, he later said. I couldn’t feel my legs at first.
David Comtock, born April 4th, 1973, in Shaunie, Oklahoma, grew up around cars. His father owned a 1978 Chevrolet Impala, and by age 16, Dave was already behind the wheel. His teenage years were spent immersed in the local car scenee, learning to modify and understand every nuance of vehicle performance. He eventually bought a 1996 GMC Sonoma S10 pickup, transforming it into a racing machine that earned him the nickname Daddy Dave on the underground racing circuit.
In 2009, Dave met Justin “Big Chief” Shearer during filming of the show *Pinks*. Their shared passion for racing laid the groundwork for a partnership that would later define street racing on television. The two became central figures in *Street Outlaws* when it launched in 2013, bringing a raw authenticity that resonated with audiences. Dave, with his quiet confidence and intense focus, became a fan favorite.
One co-star noted, “Dave doesn’t talk a lot. He just wins. ”
Behind the scenes, however, the pressure of fame was building. Long shoots, growing expectations, and non-stop competition took a toll.
In 2015, while piloting Goliath, Dave lost control at dangerously high speed and crashed into a concrete wall. The truck was totaled, and Dave was airlifted to the hospital. The physical injuries were serious, but the mental scars ran deeper. You don’t unsee the wall coming at you, he recalled.
Rather than dwell on the setback, Dave began designing a new car almost immediately. The result was Goliath 2. 0, a twin-turbo 1963 Chevy Nova built from the ground up. He partnered with some of the best tuners and fabricators in the country, pouring months into the build.
This isn’t just a car, it’s redemption, he told a friend. When it hit the track, fans were blown away by the transformation. The Nova was lighter, more aerodynamic, and delivered brutal acceleration, marking a triumphant return to racing. Off the track, Dave is also a businessman.
He owns and runs Comtock Auto Service in Oklahoma, working on performance cars, and has launched his own merchandise brand, selling hats, t-shirts, and car accessories online. With over 1. 4 million Facebook followers and 620,000on Instagram, his reach is powerful. But balancing branding, building, and racing is exhausting.
You’re never really off the clock, he admitted. At home, Dave is a husband to Cassie Comtock,, whom he married on March 1st, 2013, and a father to two daughters, whom the couple keeps out of the spotlight. Cassie was by his side long before the cameras, supporting him through local races and late nights in the garage. When Dave was hospitalized after the Goliath crash, she didn’t leave his side.
In a rare post, Dave wrote,“Without her, there wouldn’t be a Daddy Dave. Period. ”
Though he appeared to have regained his place on the track, the emotional toll of the crash lingered. He suffered lingering back pain, headaches, and nerve damage, but it was the mental weight that hit hardest.
Every time he climbed back into the seat, the memory of the accident was there. He began opening up about mental health, encouraging young drivers to take care of their minds as well as their machines. I love the speed, but I’ve learned to respect the fear, too. When *Street Outlaws* expanded intothe ultra-competitive No Prep Kings series, Dave had to completely rewire his racing style.
Unlike traditional street races, no prep tracks have no rubber laid down, making them slickand unpredictable. This is about control, not chaos, he said. You can’t just go all out. You got to drive smart.
With decades of experience, Dave adapted, proving he was still a contender against younger, hungrier rivals. In 2022, Dave surprised fans by revealing a custom-built 2022 Audi S5 for No Prep Kings Season 6. It was a departure from his usual American muscle builds, but Dave explained his reasoning. Sometimes you’ve got to think ahead, he said.
This car is about precision, not just power. While some diehard fans felt betrayed by the switch, Dave stayed focused on competing and winning on today’s terms. Friends noticed over time that Dave seemed quieterand more withdrawn after big races, disappearing for weeks at a time. People see me on TV and think I’ve got it all figured out, he once posted.
Truth is, I’m still figuring it out. The fame that once seemed like a dream became a weight, and he began setting boundaries to protect himself. When everyone’s watching, it feels like you can’t mess up, he said. Sometimes I’m just tired.
But despite the pain, burnout, and years of pressure, Dave still races. He races for his daughters, for fans who grew up watching him, and for anyone with a toolbox and a dream. If I can do it, he says, so can you. After nearly losing his life, he rebuilt not just his car, but his identity.
What he left on the track is unforgettable. The road to greatness is never smooth. But some still choose to race it anyway.
