Charlotte, NC (My Sportsbook) - Yates Racing announced Monday that Erik Darnell will drive the No.96 Ford in place of Bobby Labonte in seven Sprint Cup Series races this season, beginning with this weekend's event at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Darnell is also scheduled to drive the car at New Hampshire, Kansas, Talladega, Texas, Phoenix and the season-finale at Homestead.

Labonte's team has been sponsored by Ask.com and DLP for most races this season, but does not sponsor the team's efforts in seven of the remaining 12 events this year. The 2000 Cup Series champion will drive the No.96 under the Hall of Fame Racing banner with Ask.com and DLP as his sponsors at Richmond, Dover, California, Charlotte and Martinsville.

"This is a move that will be beneficial to Yates Racing surviving this difficult economic time," Labonte said. "Of course, I'm disappointed that the sponsorship environment is so challenging right now, but I intend to make the most out of the remaining races that I'm behind the wheel for Ask.com, DLP and Hall of Fame Racing."

Yates and Hall of Fame formed an alliance prior to the start of this season.

Labonte is currently 30th in points, with only one top-10 finish so far this season, a fifth-place run in March at Las Vegas. He is in his first year with the team after driving for Petty Enterprises -- now known as Richard Petty Motorsports -- the past three seasons.

"Yates Racing and Hall of Fame have a one-year agreement that committed Yates Racing to field Bobby Labonte in the races where Ask.com and DLP were the primary sponsors," team co-owner Max Jones said. "Not all the Sprint Cup races were sponsored, and Yates Racing took the sole risk for finding sponsors for those races."

Darnell, the 2005 Truck Series rookie of the year, has made 10 Nationwide Series starts for Roush Racing so far this season, posting two top-five finishes and five top-10s. He won his first career Nationwide pole in June at Milwaukee. Darnell finished 12th last Sunday at Montreal.

"Racing in the Cup Series is every driver's goal," Darnell said. "The Cup Series is where the best of the best compete, and I am looking forward to racing against those guys."

Roush provides engine support for Yates and Hall of Fame.

Darnell's car for New Hampshire and Kansas will be sponsored by Northern Tool and Equipment, which normally supports his Nationwide efforts. Academy Sports and Outdoors will serve as his sponsor at Atlanta, Talladega and Texas.