Catchfence

CONCORD, N.C. (Aug. 31, 2010) - Roush Fenway Racing announced today that Erik Darnell will pilot the No. 16 3M Ford in three NASCAR Nationwide Series races during the 2010 season starting at Richmond International Raceway next weekend. Darnell is also scheduled to participate in the Nationwide events at Dover International Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway.

Darnell, 27, began his Roush Fenway Racing career in the Camping World Truck Series in 2006. In 76 career Truck Series starts, Darnell notched two wins, 16 top-fives and 32 top-10 finishes along with three pole awards. The Beach Park, Ill. native moved up to the Nationwide Series in 2008 for one race and then competed in 16 races in 2009. In 17 Nationwide Series starts, Darnell has two top-five and five top-10 finishes and one pole award. Additionally, Darnell competed in seven Sprint Cup Series races at the end of the 2009 season.

This season, Darnell was called upon to practice and qualify the No. 60 Ford for teammate Carl Edwards on five occasions. In four of those races Edwards did not finish outside of the top-two; going to victory lane once (Road America).

“I am excited at the opportunity I have been given to participate in these three races with 3M,” Darnell said. “I get to work with a veteran team and crew chief and I’m excited to get to run the new Ford Mustang at Richmond. 3M has been a great partner to Roush Fenway and I’m just so thankful to them for coming on board for these three races.”

A primary sponsor in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series for Roush Fenway Racing, 3M is bringing three of its brands on board the No. 16 for Darnell’s three races: “Scotch-Brite” cleaning products will be featured at Richmond, “Post-It” products at Dover and “Ace” brand bandages at Texas.

“We are really excited about having Erik and the No. 16 Ford representsome of our major brands at these exciting tracks,” said Joe Harlan, Executive Vice President of the 3M Consumer and Office Business. “It makes a strong pairing with the 3M brand sponsored car driven by Greg Biffle in the Sprint Cup race the same weekend.”

About Roush Fenway Racing

Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR’s largest team operating eight motorsports teams. Four in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with drivers Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and David Ragan; and five in the Nationwide Series with Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Colin Braun, Paul Menard and Brian Ickler. For more information on any of the Roush Fenway Racing teams, log onto www.RoushFenway.com. Become a fan of Roush Fenway Racing on Facebook by going to http://www.facebook.com/roushfenway. And for sponsorship inquiries please contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645.

About 3M

A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With $23 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3m.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

- Roush Fenway Racing Press Release