Sprint Cup Car Notes - Menards-PEAK Chevrolet Impala SS
Sprint Cup Primary Car: Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chassis #038/ Back up Car #048
Last Used: #038 was last run at the Phoenix test a few weeks ago. #048 was raced at California and taken as the backup at Las Vegas.
Overall Notes of Interest
Paul Menard and the Menards/Dale Earnhardt Inc. team head to Bristol Motor Speedway on the heels of a solid start to the 2008 season, including three top-25 finishes in the first four races. The team’s 25th place spot in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings fulfills Menard’s goal for the first five races of the season.
“We have done what we set out to do so far,” Menard said. “Aside from the 27th place finish in California, we’ve had two 22nd place finishes and a season high finish of 19th place last week in Atlanta Motor Speedway. I’ll be happy when we leave Bristol with another solid finish and a continued hold on the 25th spot in points.”
Menard has one previous Cup start at Bristol Motor Speedway, which resulted in a 24th place finish, but the short track savvy driver seasoned his skills on comparable racetracks in Wisconsin.
While the Bristol track differs from the configuration of Phoenix International Raceway, site of last month’s Sprint Cup test, the team’s second quick placement overall speaks volumes for it’s short track potential.
Testing, Testing, One, Two, Three
Menard participated in the short track test at Phoenix International Raceway, where the team worked on it’s overall short track program. Menard was second quick overall at the test and Crew Chief Doug Randolph was very pleased with Menard’s lap times over the course of a long run – both facts point to success for Menard this weekend at Bristol.
Bristol Quotes:
Paul Menard on the race:
“We’ve come a long way with the COT, especially on the short tracks since we tested regularly last season, including a test at Bristol. By the second day of that test, we hit on some things and the car was actually pretty good. I think that was evident by our run last August and it’s a safe bet we’ll be running in the top 15 or 20 most of the race on Sunday. Hopefully come away with our first top-10 of the season.”
on Bristol:
"This track has always been my favorite place to come and get in a race car. I haven’t had the best finishes here but I’ve had some good cars and bad luck and probably should have some better numbers on the scoreboard. For a track that has one of the lowest overall speeds in terms of lap average speed, compared to like Atlanta or Daytona or what have you, the sensation of speed in the car at Bristol is insane. You could do 210mph into turn one at Fontana and maybe not have the same rush as coming off turn four at Bristol and charging down into (turn) one. It’s just all of a sudden and right now - and it never ends.
“With the new paving it’s a lot smoother obviously and I think that may take away a little bit from the speed feeling; just because before you had all these things to deal with like rough transitions, the sharp apron and then the fact that you are hauling you know what. It’s a cool place regardless - all the fans, the atmosphere. I dig it.”
Crew Chief Doug Randolph:
“Bristol is the first short track race of the year and we are really looking forward to it. Paul obviously has a lot of experience short track racing which will come in handy this weekend. We just completed a test at Phoenix which went very well. Although the tracks are very different, our success at Phoenix test opens the door to our potential at these short tracks.”
