Erik Darnell
ARCA, Nationwide, Truck
Erik Darnell is the real deal. In fact, he just might be ready for Cup. He is really quick in qualifying and if he gets the lead, he does not give it up.
He knows how to get through traffic very well due to his short track experience. The ability to jump from ARCA, to Busch to Trucks in one weekend and challenge for the wins in all three is a special driver.
Darnell should step up to Cup next year, leaping over Kluever and replacing Ragan. Not sure if the Cat in the Hat will make that move, but Darnell has shown he is worthy.
Erik Darnell’s career path seemed destined from birth. Having a grandfather with a successful USAC background and a father with an equally impressive ASA resume, it was only natural that he would take to the track and continue putting the family name in racing programs throughout the country.
At only eight weeks old, Erik was given his first exposure to the racing world when he was brought to the Mecca of stock car racing, Daytona International Speedway. While most children were left to the care of their mothers while their fathers worked on the cars, Erik’s story was a little different. “I was right there with everyone,” he said. “They had me propped up in a box, in the back of the truck so I could see what was going on.”
At the age of 12, Erik got behind the wheel and began racing go-karts in his native Illinois. What began as a hobby would soon turn serious, as he won Rookie of the Year honors in his first full season of competition at the River Valley Kart Club in 1996. He followed his early accomplishment by winning three championships the very next year.
His successes continued when he made the transition to full-sized stock cars, winning Rookie of the Year honors in Super Late Model competition at Illiana Motor Speedway in Indiana. While continuing to run Super Late Model races, Erik gained additional experience by running in each of the four divisions that comprise the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Series, getting valuable experience at racetracks across the country.
In 2004, Erik got the call that he had been chosen to compete in Roush Racing’s “Race for the Ride,” where he competed against 25 drivers for a seat in one of Roush’s Craftsman Truck Series entries. He made it to the final round at Darlington, finishing a close second to winner Todd Kluever. He impressed Roush representatives so much that he was awarded a developmental driver contract, and was entered in select races in the ARCA series with Roush support. "Erik Darnell is extremely talented,” said Crew Chief Robbie Reiser. “Watching him race reminds me of watching Matt Kenseth race early in his career. He is a patient driver, he's good with his equipment and he knows when to be aggressive."
When Roush and the Discovery Channel were looking for drivers to answer the casting call for their new reality show, “Driver X: Race for the Ride,” Darnell’s name appeared at the top of everyone’s list. This time, he would not be denied. For the second year in a row, he made it to the final round at Darlington. His hard work and dedication earned him a place with Roush Racing, when he was named Driver X, the new driver of the No. 99 for the 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. "Erik is an extremely talented driver,” said Jack Roush. “He nearly won our competition last year, and with another year of experience under his belt Erik is ready to compete in NASCAR's best series."
Darnell’s 2006 season started with a sixth-place finish at Daytona, and was followed up with 11 more top-10 runs. Darnell was a model of consistency, earning an average finish of 13.5 over the course of 25 starts. Darnell completed 95.8 percent of the laps raced in ’06, the most of any Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate.
“2006 was a great year for our No. 99 team. We were able to win Rookie of the Year honors and finished off the season with five consecutive top-10 finishes. We're looking forward to winning some races in 2007. We've got our growing pains behind us, and we feel that we'll be a threat for the series championship.”
Career Overview
2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series- One pole, four top-five, 12 top-10 finishes in 25 starts
2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series- Raybestos Rookie of the Year winner
2005 ARCA- Two top-five, three top-ten finishes in five starts
2005 NASCAR AutoZone Elite Series, Southeast- Two top-five finishes in two starts
2005 NASCAR AutoZone Elite Series, Midwest- One win, one top-five and two top-ten finishes in four starts
2004 NASCAR AutoZone Elite Series, Southeast- One win, six top-five, and 10 top-10 finishes in 12 starts. Finished 3rd in points
2004 NASCAR AutoZone Elite Series, Midwest- One win, five top-five, and eight top-ten finishes in 11 starts. Finished 11th in points
2003 Wisconsin Challenge Series Champion. Three wins and six top-five finishes in 10 starts. Record holder for most wins in a season.
2002 NASCAR AutoZone Elite Series, Southwest- Finished 6th, Phoenix Int’l Raceway
2002 NASCAR AutoZone Elite Series, Southeast- Finished 10th, Bristol Motor Speedway
2001 NASCAR AutoZone Elite Series, Southeast- Finished 2nd, Nashville Superspeedway
2001 Super Late Model Rookie of the Year, Illiana Motor Speedway
’98-‘00 Allison Legacy Series- 12 Feature wins, 3 track records
1997 River Valley Kart Club, Gold Restrictor Plate Class- Champion
1997 River Valley Kart Club, Yamaha Junior Class- Champion
1997 Gem Pro Oval Series, Yamaha Junior Class- Champion
1996 River Valley Kart Club, Purple Restrictor Plate Class- Rookie of the Year
