Darnell Struggles at Kansas to Finish 18th
October 4, 200911:10 AM
Kansas City, KS (Oct. 3) – Erik Darnell entered Saturday’s Kansas Lottery 300 hoping this would be the day when he would pick up his first career Nationwide Series win. It was here a couple of years ago that Darnell showcased his skills on the track grabbing his first victory in the Camping World Truck Series. Today though would be another frustrating day for the rookie driver when he couldn’t get anything going and had to settle on a 19th-place finish.
Erik Darnell and his No. 6 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford Fusion qualified 12th on Saturday afternoon at Kansas Speedway. By lap six Darnell had already dropped five spots and was battling a car that was loose on entry and tight on exit. It wasn’t but 22 laps later that race leader Kyle Busch was already making his way through lap traffic. Green flag racing continued with Busch marching his way through the field and eventually overtaking the No. 6 on lap 53.
With no cautions in sight, green flag stops began by lap 55. Darnell caught a huge break though when a caution came out before the No. 6 made its way to pit road. He was now back on the lead lap and made his way to pit road for the first stop of the night. Darnell entered in the fourth position taking fuel, four tires and a track bar adjustment. The No. 6 NT+E Ford was now eighth when racing resumed on lap 64.
Following the restart, Darnell was quickly being pursued by a three-wide pack that included the No. 33 of Kevin Harvick, the No. 99 of Scott Speed and the No. 62 of Brendan Gaughan. A caution on lap 75 let Darnell express his concern over the handling of the car telling Crew Chief Mike Kelley that the No. 6 was actually worse than when it headed to pit road for their first stop. Kelley decided on fuel, four tires and both track bar and wedge adjustments.
At the halfway point of the race Darnell was now in 12th place with the car still having trouble making any progress out on the track. Just 18 laps later Darnell was down in the 16th spot when he got into the No.12 of Justin Allgaier causing right front fender damage. Both continued on their way and a caution on lap 137 allowed the NT+E pit crew to work on the fender. Darnell restarted 19th when racing went back to action on lap 142.
Darnell made some progress over the next 13 laps grabbing three spots, but just when it seemed as if things were heading in the right direction the car began slipping backwards falling to 19th with 26 laps left. Darnell was still having problems overcoming a tight race car and a seventh caution on lap 182 allowed the No. 6 to get service taking fuel, four tires and an air pressure adjustment. A penalty however was assessed on the team for jumping over pit wall before they were allowed to do so. Darnell was placed at the end of the lead lap cars on the restart.
Now in the 23rd spot with just 10 laps left, Darnell avoided certain disaster when he had to slam on the breaks and check up when the No. 32 of Brian Vickers and Brendan Gaughan were involved in a two car wreck. The No. 6 slid up the track, but Darnell was able to avoid hitting the wall by just inches. The No. 6 NT+E Ford Fusion stayed on the lead lap despite the spin out to finish a disappointing 18th place.
“The No. 6 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford Fusion wasn’t that good today. We were good in race trim; we just couldn’t get it going once the race started. The car struggled for much of the race. It’s a shame because we had a good qualifying run and I thought we could have contended for a top-10 or possibly a top-five finish. I just wish things would have turned out better for this No. 6 team,” said Darnell.
Darnell and the No. 6 NT+E team are off next weekend and will return to the track on Friday, October 16 for the Dollar General 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
About Northern Tool + Equipment
Northern Tool + Equipment has been a supplier of high-quality tools and equipment for more than 27 years, selling products through direct mail, the Internet and at nearly 70 retail locations in 11 states. Along with a deep selection of hand, power and air tools, Northern Tool + Equipment carries a wide variety of products, including generators, pressure washers, air compressors, hydraulics, small engines, trailers, water pumps, tractors, welding equipment and much more. Northern Tool + Equipment also serves as the exclusive distributor of NorthStarTM brand equipment, which is fabricated and assembled at the company’s 250,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. For more information, visit www.northerntool.com.
About Roush Fenway Racing
Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR’s largest team operating nine motorsports teams. Five in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with drivers Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and David Ragan; three in the Nationwide Series with Kenseth, Biffle, Edwards, Ragan, Erik Darnell, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Colin Braun; and one in the Camping World Truck Series with Braun. For more information on any of the Roush Fenway Racing teams, log onto www.RoushFenway.com. For sponsorship inquiries please contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645
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