Truck series loses another entry

Roush Fenway Racing driver Erik Darnell and his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series sponsor Northern Tool + Equipment will continue their partnership next season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, the team announced on Friday.

The 2009 season will be the sponsor’s fourth year with Darnell and Roush Fenway.

“I’m really happy to be continuing the next stage of my racing career with Northern Tool + Equipment," Darnell said. "Our partnership over the past few years has been tremendous on and off the track. The support they have given me has certainly made my job on the race track a lot easier. Representing a company that connects with the NASCAR fan base is something I truly value."

[Editor's Note: Despite signing a new long-term series sponsor, NASCAR needs to deep-six the truck series, which draws very few fans. In addition all the manufacturers, except perhaps Toyota, have hinted the truck series should die. If NASCAR thinks manufacturers will continue to supports all three of their series in these tough economic times, they have their head stuck in the sand.]