From countless laps around Martinsville to a head-to-head match race in Darlington, viewers of Discovery Channel's Roush Racing: Driver X saw the 2005 driver search unfold in their living rooms. When the dust settled, it was Erik Darnell who was named Driver X, and winner of a full-time ride in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Roush Racing: Driver X debuted October 24, the first of 13 episodes that began with 1,776 hopeful applicants being cut down to just 25 that would take to the track and compete to become the newest driver for Roush Racing's Craftsman Truck Series team. Based on Roush Racing's "Gong Show" driver search, Driver X allowed behind-the-scenes access to the driver selection process and on-track activity that served as one of the most intense, and not to mention expensive job interviews ever conducted.

"It was an unbelievable opportunity to be chosen to compete in Driver X," said Darnell. "Just to be chosen out of that many people was like winning the deal in itself. To go on and win, I can't even explain how cool this is. I'm really looking forward to Daytona, and getting this season underway. I'm blessed to be afforded this opportunity, and I intend to make the most of it."

Darnell will head to Daytona early next week with his No. 99 Roush Racing Ford F-150 and make his first start for the team on Friday, February 19 in the GM FlexFuel 250. The Roush Fords were among the fastest teams in pre-season testing at Daytona, showing at the top of the charts in each session. Darnell and his new teammate, fellow Driver X competitor David Ragan were joined by veteran driver Mark Martin for the three-day test.

"Based on what we were able to accomplish in testing down there, I think we'll have a decent truck. I want to be able to learn a lot, and complete all the laps. Anything above that I'll consider a success," said Darnell.

"We've got a great team and obviously a pretty good truck, so if I can hold up my end of it, maybe we'll be able to bring home a solid finish."

Roush Racing is a subsidiary of Livonia, Mich., based Roush Enterprises which operates 13 motorsports teams; five in NASCAR Nextel Cup with drivers Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards, six in the Busch Series with Martin, Kenseth, Biffle, Edwards, Todd Kluever and Danny O'Quinn, Jr., and two in the Craftsman Truck Series with Martin, David Ragan and Erik Darnell.