Erik Darnell will take over the No. 96 Hall of Fame Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car for seven races during the remainder of the 2009 season.

Former Sprint Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte is currently driving the No. 96 Ford Fusion and he will still race at Richmond, Dover, Fontana, Charlotte and Martinsville with Ask.com and DLP as primary sponsors.

“This is a move that will be beneficial to Yates Racing surviving this difficult economic time,” Labonte said.  “Of course, I’m disappointed that the sponsorship environment is so challenging right now, but I intend to make the most out of the remaining races that I’m behind the wheel for Ask.com, DLP and Hall of Fame Racing.”

Darnell, a former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie-of-the-Year, currently races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

“Racing in the Cup Series is every driver’s goal,” he said. “The Cup Series is where the best of the best compete and I am looking forward to racing against those guys. I’m excited that Northern Tool + Equipment will be able to make the jump with me and that Academy Sports & Outdoors has agreed to sponsor me as well.  I am confident that this team can give both of these great sponsors’ good runs in these upcoming races.”

Darnell will get behind the wheel of the No. 96 beginning this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway as well as at Loudon, Kansas, Talladega, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead.

Academy Sports & Outdoors and Northern Tool + Equipment will be the primary sponsors; Northern Tool at Loudon and Kansas and Academy Sports at Atlanta, Talladega and Texas.

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