Nextel Cup Series
Paul Menard and the No. 15 NASCAR Nextel Cup team put 100% effort into their Car of Tomorrow program leading up to the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Not only had the team participated in NASCAR’s two-day preseason COT test session, but they had also completed two additional tests to prepare specifically for the Martinsville event. With findings from tests at South Boston Speedway (VA) and Caraway Speedway (NC), the Menards Racing crew arrived in Martinsville with realistic expectations.
“I think we’ll be good at Martinsville,” Car Chief “B” Hoover said prior to the weekend. “But it’s going to be a nail biter. There is just so much that can impact your lap in qualifying – and then there’s the curb! If you hit the curb, you’re pretty much going home.”
While Menard did all he could to make the fastest lap possible in his Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS, he did make brief contact with the curb on lap one but the ever-focused driver rebounded on lap two by picking up more than two and a half tenths. Unfortunately, Menard’s quick lap of 20.433 seconds was just shy of making the field, forcing the team to pack up and head home early.
Truck Series 
Never one to dwell on a bad day at the track, Menard turned his attention to Saturday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event.
“Yesterday was tough, but today is a new day.” Menard said. “Billy was willing to let me drive his truck and I need to give 100% to this team effort. If I spend too much time looking back on what happened yesterday, I wouldn’t be giving it everything I had. But I’m here and I think we have a really good truck.”
Menard followed up his assertion with a solid 15th place qualifying effort that had the driver and the team keyed up for the start of the race.
Menard’s Chevy Silverado took the Green Flag under an overcast sky, with Menard immediately reporting the Truck was tight in the center and chattering the front. At the first opportunity, Menard came down pit road and his usual over the wall crew provided lightening fast pit stops. The adjustments made during the stop, helped Menard with the handling and Menard maintained a spot in the top 20 throughout the first 100 laps of the race.
Unfortunately, on lap 148 Menard came down pit road reported that the “rear end had locked up”. A problem was identified within the motor and Menard was forced to end his day early, ultimately finishing in 33rd place. Menard joined his teammate, Bill Lester who finished 36th after also making an early exit due to engine problems.
Looking Ahead
While the No. 15 NASCAR Nextel Cup team’s departure from Martinsville was earlier than expected, it did allow the crew to get a head start on preparation for this week’s Car of Tomorrow test at Richmond International Raceway. With more than 50 teams scheduled to take part in the two day session, an additional day of groundwork will hopefully give Menards Racing an edge on the competition at the famous ≤-mile Virginia short track.
Still, with an off weekend ahead, Menard plans to spend time recharging his battery. He will head to Texas Motor Speedway for next weekend’s Samsung 500 with a fresh outlook and quiet faith in his team’s potential for success at the intermediate track.
