Erik Darnell
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Mexico City, Mexico
NASCAR Nationwide Series: Corona Mexico 200
FAST FACTS
This will be Darnell’s first career Nationwide Series start.
He is also slated for Nationwide Series starts at Milwaukee, Daytona and ORP later in the
year.
Darnell tested the No. 17 Nationwide Series car earlier this year at Daytona, and tested the No. 16
Nationwide Series car at Las Vegas.
In 2007, he practiced the No. 6 for David Ragan at ORP when Ragan was with his Sprint Cup team
at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Darnell did the same for Greg Biffle and the No. 16 team in 2006.
Darnell has two career starts on road courses; one at Infineon Raceway and one at Brainerd
International Raceway.
Darnell tested at Virginia International Raceway last month in preparation for this weekend.
Erik Darnell – NNS ADVANCE
Team: No. 17 Citi Financial Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer
Chassis: RK-423 (last driven by Michel Jourdain
in Montreal 2007, finished 16th)
Darnell on racing at Mexico City:
“I’m really excited for my first Nationwide Series race. I have to thank Jack Roush and everyone at
CitiFinancial for giving me this opportunity. Every driver’s goal is to move up through the ranks and
hopefully land a Sprint Cup Series ride. This is going to be a big weekend for me and I’m just ready to get
down there.”
Crew Chief Drew Blickensderfer on racing at Mexico City:
“Erik is a talented young driver. He put up pretty competitive lap times when we went to VIR a few weeks
ago. I’m sure he’ll be anxious at first. We just want him to get some laps under his belt and get
comfortable in the car.”
