Erik Darnell | Northern Tool Racing

Goodbye

Dear Race Fans,

The engines are roaring and fans are packing the stands as another season of NASCAR racing heats up. There is, however, a noticeable absence on Pit Row — the Northern Tool + Equipment Ford driven by former Truck Series Rookie of the Year, Erik Darnell. Erik drove the No. 99 F-150 full-time for two years in the Camping World Truck Series, and last year drove the No. 6 Ford Fusion in the Nationwide Series.

We want to thank all of our fans who followed Erik and Northern Tool on and off the track. We shared the joy during some exciting races, including wins at Kansas and Michigan, and at plenty of adrenaline-pumping top-five finishes, like last year’s NorthernTool.com 250 in Milwaukee.

Erik Darnell 2009 Season Recap

CONCORD, N.C. (Dec. 7, 2009) – After a successful career in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Erik Darnell got the call from Jack Roush that he would be moving up to the Nationwide Series in 2009, doing a partial schedule with David Ragan in the No. 6 Ford Fusion. It wasn't a full-time ride, but Darnell knew he was given a great opportunity and would make the most of it. He showcased his skills during the first seven races grabbing one pole, two top-five and five top-10 finishes. The next nine races though Darnell struggled, picking up only two top-15 finishes. Even though the second half of the season was not what he was hoping for, the 26-year old rookie turned a lot of heads, and in turn made a name for himself at NASCAR's next level.

Homestead Roughs Up Darnell To End Season Finale With A 31st-Place Finish

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (November 21, 2009) – Today's Ford 300 was Erik Darnell's final shot of capturing victory in 2009. A series of events though beginning with qualifying and continuing through out the race ended any hopes of Darnell driving his No. 6 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford Fusion into victory lane. The No. 6 ended the season finale three laps down and searching for answers to what happened to the second half of 2009.

Bad Luck For Darnell And No. 96 Hall Of Fame Racing Team In Season Finale At Homestead-Miami Speedway

The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season concluded Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the Ford 400. Erik Darnell and the No. 96 Hall of Fame Racing team were set to capture a solid finish in their final race together, however, rookie, Darnell would face challenges throughout the weekend. Despite the obstacles, Darnell rallied back each time with the support of his team. Though bad luck would hinder a solid finish in Sunday's 267-lap event, Darnell and company never gave up and brought home a 36th-place finish.

Pole winner, Jimmie Johnson led the field to the green flag. Darnell rolled off 31st and soon began to report that his Ford was lacking grip. Track bar and wedge adjustments were thrown at the No. 96 during a green flag pit stop on lap 48 in hopes of remedying the handling woes. Though the adjustments were not exactly what Darnell needed, he maintained a 30th-place running position.

Erik Darnell On Racing In The Cup Series At Homestead-Miami Speedway

Erik Darnell on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway: "This will be my seventh Cup start and I feel like we've been a little better in the past couple of races, even though our finishes don't really reflect that. [Crew chief] Ben Leslie and all of the guys have worked really hard on our race packages and I've become more comfortable in these cars. I don't think we're quite up there with the 48 and the 5 yet – those guys are flying – but we're making improvements."

Crew chief Ben Leslie on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway: "Our plan is to unload a fast race car and concentrate on a solid qualifying run on Friday. We had a lot of trouble last week in Phoenix because we didn't have a good starting position, so hopefully we'll make some improvements. I feel like if we can start closer to the front Erik will do a great job of maintaining position."

Erik Darnell On Racing At Homestead-Miami Speedway

Erik Darnell on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway: "I cannot believe Homestead is all ready here. Even with the limited schedule the season has flown by. I really hope we can put together something special for the fans and for Northern Tool + Equipment on Saturday. We had really high expectations going into the season, and came out on fire for the first seven races. The last few months though have been a struggle. This will be my first race with Dan [Stillman] since he took over the crew chief duties a few weeks ago. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with Dan and I know he'll do everything in his power to get our No. 6 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford Fusion into victory lane. It sure would be a great way to end the season. "

Darnell And The No. 96 Valvoline Team Finish 31st At Phoenix

AVONDALE, Ariz. (November 15, 2009) - Rookie, Erik Darnell took to the 1-mile Phoenix International Raceway this weekend for his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at the Arizona track. After posting respectable times during Friday's first practice session the Valvoline team was optimistic heading into qualifying, however, an early qualifying draw, second, put Darnell at a disadvantage. In spite of improving two tenths over his fastest practice time, Darnell would qualify 39th for Sunday's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500. The No. 96 crew used Saturday's practice session to work on their race package and Darnell improved 15 positions and posted the 24th fastest time of the day.

Erik Darnell On Racing At Phoenix International Raceway

Erik Darnell on racing at Phoenix International Raceway:

"I'm really looking forward to bouncing back from Texas. It was a little disappointing to get caught up in someone else's mistake early on and not get the finish we were hoping for. We all worked hard to get better and better throughout the race, but we were still too tight on entry.

"Phoenix is a fun track where a lot can happen. I don't have a lot of experience there, but this type of track is always fun to race. I hope to unload and have a fast Valvoline Ford and get a solid finish for this No. 96 team."

Darnell Scores 30th-Place Finish At Texas Motor Speedway

Mon, 11/09/2009 - Erik Darnell driver of the No. 96 Academy Sports + Outdoors Ford Fusion made his fifth-career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start in Sunday's Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway - a taunting 1.5-mile track known for high speeds and tons of action. Despite little experience in a Cup car and just six starts in the Truck Series at Texas, Darnell posted respectable times during the weekend's practice sessions and showed promise heading into the 500-mile event.

Darnell started 38th and had worked his way up to 34th position on lap three when an accident involving Championship contender Jimmie Johnson brought out the first caution. Darnell's No. 96 received splitter damage in the incident and was forced to pit three times under the caution period for repairs. Green flag racing resumed and Darnell was scored in 41st place still on the lead lap.

Erik Darnell On Racing At Texas Motor Speedway

Erik Darnell on racing at Texas Motor Speedway: "Our finish at Talladega did not reflect our potential. We had a really fast Academy Ford Fusion, but luck just wasn't on our side. Some wires were shaken loose in the starter box and caused our car to lose power. It was really a freak thing, no one's fault, but it was unfortunate for these guys that work so hard. This is our last week with Academy as our primary sponsor and I'd really like to get a good finish for those guys. They've been such great partners this year and a solid finish for them would be awesome."

Crew chief Ben Leslie on racing at Texas Motor Speedway: "Texas is a fast track, fairly similar to Atlanta where Erik made his first start. He performed very well at Atlanta all things considered and now that he has a bit more seat time I feel confident that we should be competitive."