Originally Posted by Charles Nungester:
DD has several Championships USAC Sprint, midget, several track championships, LPS, Kokomo Been driving a sprinter since the mid-late eighties. Started with his Dad "Bob Darland" and has over the years become a fan favorite at most of the Indiana tracks.
Somebody stuck the "Peoples Champ" stamp on him and it stuck and it "WORKS" His other nicknames were "THE DEPUTY" and "DOUBLE D" the latter is still used.
Hope that helps, Couldn't tell you who came up with it, Probably Rob Klepper who was the *Voice of USAC* up till a couple years ago and now does Lucas Oil broadcast, Chili Bowl etc.
I believe JR Todd gave him the nickname!