Erik Darnell On The Milwaukee Mile

Erik Darnell on racing at the Milwaukee Mile:
“Coming back to Milwaukee is always special because I consider it home. I grew up about 40 miles south of the track and have so many great memories. The track’s flat banking gives chase to a lot of fun racing, but at the same time can be a challenge passing other drivers. I feel very at ease when racing at Milwaukee for obvious reasons. However, the victory last week at Michigan has given this team some added confidence heading into the race. We had a sixth-place finish last year at this track and I know the team will be ready come Friday night.”

Crew chief Matt Puccia on racing at the Milwaukee Mile:
“It is difficult to do any kind of passing at the Milwaukee Mile. To succeed at this track, not only is track position important, but Erik will need to have a good handle of the truck going into the turns to be able to drive center corner to do his passing. We’re taking a very good truck with us this week. The truck has already run four times this season including a 12th-place finish at Atlanta back in March. This Northern Tool + Equipment team had a memorable win last week at MIS and I’m hoping for another great run out of the No. 99 Ford F-150.”

Fast Facts:

• The Northern Tool + Equipment team picked up their first win of 2008 last week at the Cool City Customs 200 in Michigan.
• The No. 99 team will be bringing chassis RK-54 to Milwaukee. This chassis last raced at Dover three weeks ago, where Darnell started 18th and finished 25th.
• Darnell enters Milwaukee 10th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series point standings, 152 points behind point leader Johnny Benson.
• Darnell will be making his fourth start at Milwaukee.
• Darnell’s best finish at Milwaukee came in June of 2007, when he finished sixth.