Bristol, TN – After a strong showing in the preseason test session at Bristol Motor Speedway, Paul Menard and the No. 15 team returned to the short track with sights set on a strong run in the Food City 500.  Unfortunately, the team didn’t have the opportunity to show its strength during the fifth Nextel Cup race of the season, as Friday’s qualifying ended Menard’s hopes for Bristol success.
 
Menard’s early draw for qualifying meant the driver of the No. 15 Menards/Peak Antifreeze Chevrolet would make his two lap effort under a sunny sky.  Following his lap of 15.897 seconds, Menard was quick to predict the outcome of Friday’s on track events.
 
“I don’t think it’s going to be good enough.” Menard said.  “The car was just really tight.  It was actually a little bit loose in practice and then we made it really good toward the end.  With all the rubber laying down I think it just tightens the track up that much.  I chattered the right front tire.”
 
The highly anticipated debut of the Car of Tomorrow was part of the challenge in making the Food City 500.
 
“They (COT cars) don’t have a whole lot of down force, compared to what we’re used to, and it’s a struggle to get them to turn.” Menard continued.  “We tested really good the other day at South Boston, getting ready for Martinsville.  I actually got it turningpretty good and we hadit turning pretty good in practice but the track is just rubbering up.”
 
Menard and his Dale Earnhardt Inc. team now look toward Martinsville for the next chance to shine in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. .