Erik Darnell

Last updated
Erik Darnell
Erik Darnell.jpg
Darnell at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in 2008
BornErik Louis Darnell
(1982-12-02) December 2, 1982 (age 40)
Beach Park, Illinois, U.S.
Achievements2003 Wisconsin Challenge Series Champion
Awards2006 Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Cup Series career
9 races run over 2 years
2011 position51st
Best finish47th (2009)
First race 2009 Pep Boys Auto 500 (Atlanta)
Last race 2011 Good Sam RV Insurance 500 (Pocono)
WinsTop tens Poles
000
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
52 races run over 5 years
2012 position17th
Best finish17th (2012)
First race 2008 Corona México 200 (Mexico City)
Last race 2012 Ford EcoBoost 300 (Homestead)
WinsTop tens Poles
051
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career
77 races run over 5 years
2021 position66th
Best finish4th (2008)
First race 2004 Black Cat Fireworks 200 (Milwaukee)
Last race 2021 LiftKits4Less.com 200 (Darlington)
First win 2007 O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 (Kansas)
Last win 2008 Cool City Customs 200 (Michigan)
WinsTop tens Poles
2323
Statistics current as of December 30, 2021.

Erik Louis Darnell (born December 2, 1982) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He is the grandson of former USAC and NASCAR driver Bay Darnell, who also started three NASCAR races (including one for Holman Moody). [1] Darnell formerly drove for Roush Fenway Racing, joining the team in 2005 after being a co-winner on the Discovery Channel program Roush Racing: Driver X , along with David Ragan.

Contents

Racing career

Early career

Darnell beating Johnny Benson to the line to win at Michigan in 2008 Johnny Benson.jpg
Darnell beating Johnny Benson to the line to win at Michigan in 2008
Darnell's 2008 Truck at Michigan Erik Darnell Michigan.jpg
Darnell's 2008 Truck at Michigan
Darnell's 2009 Nationwide car at Milwaukee ErikDarnellFordMilwaukeeMile2009.jpg
Darnell's 2009 Nationwide car at Milwaukee
Darnell's 2011 Cup car at Pocono in August Erik Darnell Pocono 2011.jpg
Darnell's 2011 Cup car at Pocono in August
Darnell's 2012 Nationwide car at Road America 40 Erik Darnell 2012 Road America Sargento 200.jpg
Darnell's 2012 Nationwide car at Road America

Darnell began racing at the age of 12 in the River Valley Kart Club. He won the championship in the purple plate class in his second year of competition, later racing Allison Legacy Series cars after go karts. His first year of super late models was at Illiana Motor Speedway, with Erik finishing 3rd in the final standings with 1 win. Erik beat the best Wisconsin super late model drivers to win the 2003 Wisconsin Challenge Series championship. At that time his five wins were the most in the series' history. [2] He set the super late model track record at Lake Geneva Raceway in 2004. [3]

2004–2012: NASCAR and ARCA

Darnell drove in his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Milwaukee in 2004, finishing 26th. He also raced in numerous NASCAR touring series races.

Darnell drove in several NASCAR touring series and six ARCA races in 2005.

Darnell raced full-time in the Truck Series in 2006. He had twelve top-10 finishes in 25 events, and he was the series' Rookie of the Year. He continued to drive for the team in 2007, as well as testing the team's Busch Series cars. On April 28, 2007, Darnell won the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway for his first Truck Series win.

Darnell started the 2008 season by capturing the pole position at the Daytona International Speedway. He won his second career CTS race in June 2008 at Michigan International Speedway by .005 of a second over Johnny Benson.

For 2009, Darnell planned to compete in 15 NASCAR Nationwide Series races, sharing the car with Cup Series driver David Ragan, and would also run for Rookie of the Year. The first race on his schedule was at Richmond International Raceway where he finished 12th. Also, Darnell competed in seven of the final 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. He ran the car at Atlanta, Loudon, Kansas, Talladega, Texas, Phoenix, and Homestead. Darnell competed in the No. 96 Academy Sports + Outdoors Ford for the Atlanta, Talladega, and Texas races. He alternated the ride with Bobby Labonte.

In 2010, Darnell found himself without a ride for most of the season due to the lack of sponsorship. He continued to stay on at Roush Fenway Racing as a practice-qualifying driver for Carl Edwards at the standalone Nationwide Series races. Darnell did a 3 race deal to drive Roush's No. 16 Ford in the Nationwide Series. His best finish was 14th at Dover and Texas.

In 2011, Darnell returned to the Cup Series, driving for Whitney Motorsports in several races. In 2012, he competed for The Motorsports Group (formerly Key Motorsports) in the Nationwide Series.

2013–present: Post-NASCAR career

Darnell's Super Late Model at La Crosse in 2013 Erik Darnell wins 2013 Dick Trickle 99.jpg
Darnell's Super Late Model at La Crosse in 2013
Darnell in victory lane at Dells Raceway Park in 2016 Erik Darnell victory lane Dells Raceway Park 2016.jpg
Darnell in victory lane at Dells Raceway Park in 2016
Darnell's Super Late Model at La Crosse in 2018 ErikDarnell2018LaCrosseOktoberfest.jpg
Darnell's Super Late Model at La Crosse in 2018

Darnell didn't race in NASCAR during 2013. He won the Dick Trickle 99 Super Late Model Oktoberfest race at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in October 2013. [4] He has made occasional starts in various Midwest series since. Darnell led much of the second half of the 2019 Oktoberfest ARCA Midwest Tour race at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway before finishing third behind Ty Majeski. [5]

2021: Return to NASCAR

On May 3, 2021, it was revealed through the release of the entry list for the Truck Series race at Darlington that Darnell would drive the No. 45 for Niece Motorsports in that race with sponsorship from his former sponsor at Roush, Northern Tool + Equipment. This would be his first start in NASCAR since 2012 and first in the Truck Series since 2008. [6]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold - Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics - Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Sprint Cup Series

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536NSCCPtsRef
2009 Hall of Fame Racing 96 Ford DAY CAL LVS ATL BRI MAR TEX PHO TAL RCH DAR CLT DOV POC MCH SON NHA DAY CHI IND POC GLN MCH BRI ATL
30		 RCH NHA
30		 DOV KAN
29		 CAL CLT MAR TAL
37		 TEX
30		 PHO
31		 HOM
36		47th472 [7]
2011 Whitney Motorsports 46 Chevy DAY PHO LVS BRI CAL MAR TEX TAL RCH DAR DOV CLT KAN POC MCH SON DAY KEN NHA
39		51st2 [8]
Ford IND
DNQ		 POC
42		 GLN MCH
DNQ		 BRI ATL
Max Q Motorsports 37 Chevy RCH
DNQ		 CHI NHA DOV KAN CLT TAL MAR TEX PHO HOM

Nationwide Series

NASCAR Nationwide Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435NNSCPtsRef
2007 Roush Fenway Racing 6 Ford DAY CAL MXC LVS ATL BRI NSH TEX PHO TAL RCH DAR CLT DOV NSH KEN MLW NHA DAY CHI GTY IRP
QL†		 CGV GLN MCH BRI CAL RCH DOV KAN CLT MEM TEX PHO HOM N/A0 [9]
2008 17 DAY CAL LVS ATL BRI NSH TEX PHO MXC
26		 TAL RCH DAR CLT DOV NSH KEN 119th85 [10]
60 MLW
QL‡		 NHA DAY CHI GTY IRP CGV GLN MCH BRI CAL RCH DOV KAN CLT MEM TEX PHO HOM
2009 6 DAY CAL LVS BRI TEX NSH PHO TAL RCH
12		 DAR
4		 CLT DOV NSH
9		 KEN
11		 MLW
4		 NHA
9		 DAY CHI GTY
10		 IRP
29		 IOW
23		 GLN MCH BRI CGV
12		 ATL RCH
14		 DOV
17		 KAN
18		 CAL CLT
34		 MEM
31		 TEX PHO HOM
31		26th1837 [11]
2010 16 DAY CAL LVS BRI NSH PHO TEX TAL RCH DAR DOV CLT NSH KEN ROA NHA DAY CHI GTY IRP IOW GLN MCH BRI CGV ATL RCH
22		 DOV
14		 KAN CAL CLT TEX
14		 PHO HOM 82nd339 [12]
60 GTY
QL‡
2011 Key Motorsports 42 Chevy DAY PHO LVS BRI CAL TEX TAL NSH RCH DAR DOV IOW CLT CHI MCH ROA DAY KEN NHA NSH IRP IOW GLN CGV BRI ATL RCH CHI DOV KAN CLT
42		 TEX
DNQ		 PHO HOM 113th01 [13]
2012 The Motorsports Group DAY
DNQ		17th558 [14]
40 PHO
26		 LVS
35		 BRI
21		 CAL
24		 TEX
23		 RCH
35		 TAL
14		 DAR
29		 IOW
18		 CLT
27		 DOV
27		 MCH
22		 ROA
23		 KEN
25		 DAY
21		 NHA
40		 CHI
30		 IND
38		 IOW
27		 GLN CGV
16		 BRI
35		 ATL
20		 RCH
18		 CHI
22		 KEN
24		 DOV
31		 CLT
21		 KAN
17		 TEX
25		 PHO
37		 HOM
35
† - Qualified for David Ragan · ‡ - Qualified for Carl Edwards

Camping World Truck Series

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results
YearTeamNo.Make12345678910111213141516171819202122232425NCWTCPtsRef
2004 MRD Motorsports 06 Ford DAY ATL MAR MFD CLT DOV TEX MEM MLW
26		 KAN KEN GTW MCH IRP NSH BRI RCH NHA LVS CAL TEX MAR PHO DAR HOM 100th85 [15]
2006 Roush Racing 99 DAY
6		 CAL
11		 ATL
8		 MAR
11		 GTY
31		 CLT
10		 MFD
13		 DOV
25		 TEX
35		 MCH
12		 MLW
27		 KAN
26		 KEN
9		 MEM
2		 IRP
10		 NSH
12		 BRI
18		 NHA
9		 LVS
17		 TAL
19		 MAR
3		 ATL
3		 TEX
9		 PHO
10		 HOM
3		12th3136 [16]
2007 Roush Fenway Racing DAY
12		 CAL
13		 ATL
24		 MAR
18		 KAN
1*		 CLT
30		 MFD
15		 DOV
18		 TEX
32		 MCH
26		 MLW
6		 MEM
9		 KEN
29		 IRP
7		 NSH
9		 BRI
13		 GTW
7		 NHA
2		 LVS
5		 TAL
29		 MAR
25		 ATL
26		 TEX
14		 PHO
35		 HOM
24		12th2875 [17]
2008 DAY
21		 CAL
11		 ATL
12		 MAR
5		 KAN
28		 CLT
4		 MFD
11		 DOV
25		 TEX
24		 MCH
1		 MLW
4		 MEM
2		 KEN
29		 IRP
3		 NSH
2		 BRI
15		 GTW
6		 NHA
4		 LVS
2*		 TAL
12*		 MAR
19		 ATL
6		 TEX
18		 PHO
7		 HOM
11		4th3412 [18]
2021 Niece Motorsports 45 Chevy DAY DAY LVS ATL BRI RCH KAN DAR
17		 COA CLT TEX NSH POC KNX GLN GTW DAR BRI LVS TAL MAR PHO 66th20 [19]

ARCA Re/Max Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Re/Max Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920212223ARMCPtsRef
2005 Roulo Brothers Racing 39 Ford DAY NSH SLM KEN TOL LAN MIL
4		 POC MCH KAN KEN BLN POC GTW
5		 LER NSH
8		 MCH
20		 ISF TOL DSF CHI
32		 SLM TAL
13		38th980 [20]
2007 Roush Fenway Racing 99 DAY USA NSH SLM KAN
2		 WIN KEN
1*		 TOL IOW POC MCH
1*		 BLN KEN POC NSH ISF MIL GTW DSF CHI SLM TAL TOL 47th700 [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Long</span> American stock car racing driver

James Carlyle "Carl" Long is an American professional stock car racing driver, mechanic, and team owner. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 66 Toyota Supra for MBM Motorsports. In the past, he served as a mechanic for Mansion Motorsports, Spears Motorsports, and Travis Carter Motorsports. He was a crew chief at Front Row Motorsports for Eric McClure and Competition director at Rick Ware Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Biffle</span> American racing driver

Gregory Jack Biffle, nicknamed The Biff, is an American semi-retired professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 44 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for NY Racing Team and full-time in the Superstar Racing Experience, driving the No. 69 car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Bliss</span> American racing driver

Michael Duane Bliss is an American professional stock car racing driver. A journeyman NASCAR competitor and the 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, he has run in all three national series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Wallace (racing driver)</span> American stock car racing driver

Michael Samuel Wallace is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 0 Chevrolet Camaro for JD Motorsports. Born in Fenton, Missouri, he is the younger brother of Rusty Wallace, older brother of Kenny Wallace, and uncle of Steve Wallace. His daughter, Chrissy Wallace, and son, Matt Wallace, are also active in racing competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Kluever</span> American racing driver

Todd Alan Kluever is an American stock car racing driver. He raced in all of the top three NASCAR series in the 2000s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. J. Bell</span> Racecar driver

Timothy Peter "T. J." Bell Jr. is an American professional stock car racing driver. He has primarily competed in NASCAR competition, driving in all three national touring series. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, driving the No. 83 Chevrolet Silverado for CMI Motorsports and the No. 12 Silverado for Young's Motorsports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Harmon</span> American stock car racing driver

Michael Joseph Harmon is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 74 Chevrolet Camaro for CHK Racing. In the past, he drove in the NASCAR Slim Jim All Pro Series, finishing 8th in points in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Ragan</span> American racing driver

David Lee Ragan is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 15 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing, and is also an analyst for NASCAR on Fox on NASCAR Race Hub.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny O'Quinn Jr.</span> American racing driver

Daniel O'Quinn Jr. is an American professional stock car racer from Coeburn, Virginia. Now retired, he competed in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and was a winner of the Roush Racing: Driver X competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Lagasse Jr.</span> American stock car racing driver

Scott Emile Lagasse Jr. is an American professional stock car racing driver. He formerly drove in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He is the son of former sports car and NASCAR driver Scott Lagasse Sr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shelby Howard</span> American racing driver

Shelby Dean Howard IV is a NASCAR driver. He is currently a free agent.

Peter Shepherd III is a Canadian professional stock car racing driver. He is currently racing in the NASCAR Pinty's Series for Dave Jacombs Racing and in the APC Series in the #22 APC/Total Race Car].

Blake Bjorklund is an American professional stock car racing driver. He has raced in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Nationwide Series, and the ARCA Re/Max Series. In addition to racing stock cars, he has also raced snowmobiles.

William A. Allen is an American professional stock car racing driver and team owner. He is the co-owner of Rackley WAR, a team that competes full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and in late model racing. Allen previously competed as a driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Truck Series, and the ARCA Menards Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Wes Townley</span> American stock car racing driver (1989–2021)

John Wesley Townley was an American professional stock car racing driver. He competed in NASCAR's Xfinity and Truck Series from 2008 to 2016, winning a race in the latter in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Reed</span> American racing driver

Ryan A. Reed is an American professional stock car racing driver and driver coach who previously competed part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Reed previously competed full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Roush Fenway Racing for five years, driving the No. 16 Ford Mustang, which was highlighted by two wins at the season-opening Daytona race. He has also competed in the ARCA/CRA Super Series in the past. After Roush closed down their Xfinity Series team after the 2018 season, Reed has mostly been without a ride in NASCAR since then. While in that situation, Reed has worked since 2020 as the driver coach for Jack Wood, who competes for GMS Racing in the ARCA Menards Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ty Majeski</span> American racing driver

Tyler Brad Majeski is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 98 Ford F-150 for ThorSport Racing, as well as in late model racing. He has also competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, ARCA Menards Series, and ARCA Menards Series West in the past.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Weatherman</span> American racing driver

Kyle Jay Weatherman is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro for Our Motorsports and the No. 96 Camaro for FRS Racing. He has also competed in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series in the past.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Butler III</span> American racing driver

Ken Butler III is an American professional stock car racing driver. He is the older brother of Brett Butler and the son of Aaron's president Ken Butler. Butler III has driven in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Camping World Truck Series, ARCA Racing Series, and the Pro Cup Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zane Smith (racing driver)</span> American racing driver

Zane Michael Smith is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 38 Ford F-150 for Front Row Motorsports and part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 36 and 38 Ford Mustangs for FRM, as well as the No. 51 for Rick Ware Racing. He is the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion.

References

  1. ↑ Bay Darnell's NASCAR driver statistics at racing-reference.info, Retrieved March 8, 2007
  2. ↑ May 21, 2006; "Haseleu goes for second WIR spring win"; The Post-Crescent,
  3. ↑ Lake Geneva Raceway Checkered Flag Final Season (2006)
  4. ↑ Brown, Jeff (October 5, 2013). "Trickle would have enjoyed Darnell's victory". La Crosse Tribune . La Crosse, WI. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  5. ↑ Marotta, Karley (7 October 2019). "Majeski crowned 2019 Oktoberfest champion". WXOW. WXOW . Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  6. ↑ Carey, Michael (May 3, 2021). "Erik Darnell Returning To Truck Series With NIECE Motorsports For Darlington". TobyChristie.com.
  7. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2005 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Erik Darnell – 2007 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
Achievements
Preceded by NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year
2007		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.