Long Pond, PA – Paul Menard delivered another solid performance under the directorship of Crew Chief, Dave Charpentier. Charpentier has been instrumental in the recent success enjoyed by Menards Racing and driver, Paul Menard. He along with the entire Dale Earnhardt Inc. team and lightening quick over-the-wall pit crew turned in a 26th place run in Sunday’s Pocono 500.
After qualifying 35th for the second event of the season at Pocono Raceway, Menard wasn’t entirely sure what to expect out of race day.
“It was so-so.” Menard said of his lap of 54.19 seconds. “We picked up from practice, which is good because it’s cooler. We screwed up turn one, got through turn two really good, kind of under drove turn three. I didn’t get to the gas as soon as I needed to. We probably left a few tenths off there.”
“We just need to keep knocking off top-20 finishes.” Menard said prior to the start of the 200-lap event. “We need to keep running solidly and hopefully by the end of the year, we will be contending for wins.”
Menard reflected on his three practice sessions importance of preparing his team for race runs.
“We unloaded in race trim on Friday and learned a few things. On Saturday, we got to see where the other cars are at and came up with a game plan for race day.”
Before an estimated crowd of 130,000, Menard took the green flag with his sights set on his top-20 finish.
When the first caution flag flew on lap 3, Menard’s team elected to stay out under caution. According to Menard, his Chevrolet Monte Carlo was feeling pretty good and seemed to get better the longer it ran.
By lap 8, Menard was in the top-25. It took him a round of pit stops and another 38 laps, but Menard made his way into the top-20. When the caution flag flew on lap 65, Menard was in 19th place and rolling well through the corners.
“It just seems to be better on long runs.” Menard radioed the crew on lap 68. “We’re just a little tight right now.”
Menard and team continued to fight for balance around the challenging 2.5-mile
Unfortunately for the No. 15 team, the balance wouldn’t be found and Menard’s car got progressively tighter throughout the second half of the race. While efforts were made to combat this condition, Menard brought home a finish just shy of his top-20 goal.
Menard’s 26th place finish also came up just short of Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors. Menard was the second highest finishing rookie in the race.
Despite these facts, Menard has a positive outlook on what lies ahead for Menards Racing.
“I think we’re really starting to prove our ability as a race team.” Menard said. “It won’t be long before we’re battling for top-ten finishes on a weekly basis.”
Next week, Menards Racing heads to Watkins Glen International for the second and final road course event of the 2007 season.
