Exhibit 99.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Novastar Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Scott F. Hartman, Chairman of the Board, Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Company certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/    SCOTT F. HARTMAN        

Scott F. Hartman

Chairman of the Board, Secretary and

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

March 17, 2003

This certification is made solely for purpose of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, subject to the knowledge standard contained therein, and not for any other purpose.