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That's what Darrah is hoping, at least, after reaching an agreement with Kasey Kahne Racing to race the No. 91 sprint car full time next year on the national World of Outlaws circuit.
It's a major decision for the 20-year-old, who loves the atmosphere around KKR, which is based in Mooresville, N.C., and run by the NASCAR Sprint Cup star.
"It really opens your eyes when you get a chance to be around these guys," Darrah said. "It's pretty cool to see how hands-on Kasey is. He has been here already to help me make my learning curve as quick as possible.
"Spending some time with the Kahnes got me to the point where nothing is awkward. You fit in so easily and everything clicks. KKR is a family business. My environment is a little bit different, but the people part of it is the same."
Racing families are nothing new for Darrah. His uncle, Rick Eckert, made the jump to the World of Outlaws late model circuit many years ago after a stellar career on area dirt tracks.
Darrah's aunt, Candy Jo (Eckert) Toggas, is a former track champ at Bedford Speedway and his parents, Kitty and Joe Darrah, are his No.1 supporters.
"At first I was a little worried about it, but after spending a weekend with Kasey and his family, I saw that it's a family organization," Joe Darrah said.
"The opportunities my parents have given me have been endless. It's not just Cody Darrah - it's the whole family," Cody Darrah said. "Growing up watching my uncle Rick ... it's an absolute privilege to have him as my uncle and as a friend."
A strong family backing is just one of the many parallels between Darrah and Kahne.
The 29-year-old Kahne started in micro-midgets at age 14 and moved on to mini-sprints and sprints before racing with the Outlaws and other sprint circuits from 1998 to 2002. From there, he moved to NASCAR, starting with the Busch Series.
Darrah took a similar path, starting in 270 sprints at 14 before moving to the 600 series the next year and on to the 410 cars at 16.
"I remember how excited I was when I left home to race sprint cars full time," Kahne said in a news release. "I am thrilled to give the same opportunity to Cody, who I see a lot of similarities to me at that age."
Recently, Darrah filled on Kahne's team in the final two races of the Outlaws' season. In October he earned $20,000 for winning a reschedule raced of the Summer Nationals at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg against the Outlaws.
Darrah, who posted six victories this season, will be teamed up with Joey Saldana, a 20-time winner on the Outlaw circuit this year, and Brad Sweet, who is in the running for the USAC Mopar Midget national championship.
Racing - and winning - as a member of the Pennsylvania Posse, one of the best local circuits in the nation, has prepared Darrah for going big time. However, he is realistic about an adjustment period, most notably getting used to the different race tracks.
"I don't think there is any sprint car program in the country as good as the Pennsylvania Posse. It forces you to be good and to learn how to race sprint cars," Darrah said. "It is a big new pond I am jumping into. I am going to be racing these guys on tracks they have a lot of time on."
Starting with a December trip to race in Australia, the offseason will be a short one for Darrah, who is getting to know I-95 well in his travels from Red Lion to the Charlotte area.
"It's 86 days to the first Outlaws race. Right now it's a lot to handle, but that is what makes it cool," Darrah said. "It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. It's absolutely exciting."
Also of interest
· Former Indianapolis 500 driver lived in York County.
