DARNELL: Special Vegas Paint Scheme by Promo Winner
09-16-2008 11:00 am

Erik Darnell's No. 99 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford F-150 will look quite a bit different when it takes to the track for this weekend's Craftsman Truck Series race in Las Vegas. Darnell's trademark black and yellow paint scheme will be replaced with one designed by the winner of Northern Tool's "Paint My Ride" promotion. This will be only the second time during Northern Tool's two years in the series that the No. 99 will sport a different paint scheme.

The "Paint My Ride" promotion began back in July with Northern Tool + Equipment looking for fans to showcase their creative side by designing a special paint scheme for Darnell's No. 99. Several hundred designs were submitted on NorthernTool.com during the contest's four-week period, but in the end Tracy Hutchens of Bassett, Va., and his paint scheme the "Flying Tool" came away as this year's winner.

"I cannot wait to see the paint scheme on the truck this weekend. I think it's going to look really cool under the Vegas lights," said Hutchens.

Hutchens and a guest will be flown to Las Vegas for the race, receive hotel accommodations, race tickets for two, pit and garage tour passes, a meet-and-greet session with Darnell, a photo session with the No. 99 team and $250.00 in spending cash.

"I saw the truck the other day and it looks awesome. This is Northern Tool + Equipment's second year doing the promotion and each year the numbers of entries continue to grow. There were a lot of really neat designs submitted this year and to pick just one was tough. Don't get me wrong, I love the black and yellow on the truck, but it's cool to see a different paint scheme on the No. 99 from time to time. Tracey did an outstanding job with the design and I hope we can put the 'Flying Tool' in Victory Lane Saturday night," said Darnell. 

To view Northern Tool + Equipment's winning design, log on to http://www.northerntool.com/racing/paint-my-ride.htm.