In today’s NASCAR, money talks and if sponsors are not there you walk. Unfortunately, that was the case for Bobby Labonte this week when it was announced Erik Darnell would replace him in the No. 96 Ford for seven races.

Fortunately for Darnell, this has thrust him into the top echelon of motorsports and given him the opportunity to prove his worth early in his career.

Running three full seasons in the Truck Series, Darnell has only eleven Nationwide Series starts but has been tapped to start his first Cup Series race of his career this weekend, thanks in part to sponsorship support. With no solid plans in place for 2010 and no more Nationwide events scheduled, this move to the Cup Series was a bit of a surprise for the 26-year-old driver.

"It was a little bit unexpected,” Darnell admitted Saturday at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. “I didn't really know a whole lot about it before it actually happened.  As far as I was concerned, I had seven more Nationwide races this year and that was gonna be it for me, so it kind of came out of the blue.  But I guess the sponsors had been talking about doing something a little bit and I'm fortunate to have Academy Outdoor Sports and Northern Tool + Equipment that want to do this with me, but, honestly, it just kind of came out of nowhere. Everything has come together really quick.”

With the Chase looming and so much on the line the next two weekends, Darnell is not looking to go out and turn heads right away. Understanding his situation and the chance he has been given, the Cup Series’ newest driver is focused on simply making laps and learning all he can.

“Realistically, for this weekend I don't think I could put a finishing position or a number on it,” Darnell explained, “ it's gonna be to go out, be solid in practice, make changes to the car to make it faster, qualify well and run all the laps.  That's the big goal for this weekend.  If you're sitting on jack stands, you're not learning anything, so, for me, it's gonna be going out there and just running all the laps and trying to get a good finish out of this and proving myself.  I think that's a big thing.”

While he is remaining realistic about this weekend, Darnell knows better than anyone this is his real shot at a future in NASCAR’s top division. An opportunity of this magnitude does not come about every day, and while he feels bad about replacing Labonte, Darnell is looking to make the most of it.

“I really feel like these seven races are gonna be my chance,” added Darnell, “my shot to show that I can make it at the Cup level and if this doesn't work out, I don't know where that puts me for next year, but, obviously, we had the sponsorship, they had the races open, and they said, 'Go for it.'  It's nothing against Bobby Labonte.  I kind of felt bad for him.  I was happy to see he's in that 71 car this weekend.  I like him.  He's a class act 100 percent, but with the way the sport is these days money is a big thing.  Fortunately, North Tool + Equipment was able to bring some of that to the Cup deal and we'll roll with it from there, but this is my shot.”

There is no doubt Darnell will have his work cut out for him as he cuts his teeth in the most competitive series out there. Adjusting to the Cup car, working with a new crew and earning respect from the other forty-two drivers will be no easy task. To make matters more difficult, Darnell will start Sunday’s Pep Boys Auto 500 shotgun on the field in the 43rd spot.

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