By: Jay W. Pennell

Sprint Cup Correspondent
HardcoreRaceFans.com

Saturday afternoon fans had the chance to try their hands behind the wheel of a go-kart competing against the times of NASCAR drivers Erik Darnell and Greg Biffle. The event took place at the Northern Tool + Equipment on Highway 29 in Concord, N.C.

With local radio station WRFX 99.7-FM serving as the announcer, close to 100 Hardcore Race Fans showed up for the chance to compete on the makeshift track and meet Biffle and Darnell. The top three times won a gift certificate for Northern Tool + Supply - first received $250, second got a $100 gift card and third received $50 towards anything in the store.

Fans were required to wear a safety helmet, racing jacket and neck collar the climbed behind the wheel of the competition kart. Drivers were penalized one second for making contact with the cones around the track and were disqualified in they hit any of the tires used as barriers.

Darnell laid down a fast lap of 10.45 seconds, while Biffle could only muster an 11.32. Your's truly even took a shot at the track and was able to run the second fastest time of the day up to that point at 11.12 seconds. However, according to the track officials I made contact with one of the cones and received a one second penalty, relegating me with a total time of 12.12 seconds.

"This is just a fun event," Darnell told HardcoreRaceFans.com. "We did about eight or nine of these last year at various Northern Tool + Equipment locations. It's cool to give fans the chance to drive the karts and get an autograph."