Richmond, VA – Paul Menard and his Dale Earnhardt Inc. backed NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Nextel Cup teams faced serious challenges this weekend at Richmond International Raceway.
Despite the difference between the regular Busch Series car and the Car of Tomorrow used in Nextel Cup competition, Menard opted to run both races due in part to his fondness for the track and his past performance at the 3/4-mile track.
Friday’s on track activities kept Menard busy from dusk until dawn beginning with Busch Series practice which showed much promise for the driver of the No. 15 Nibco/Menards Chevrolet. Despite qualifying in the 26th position, Menard felt really good about his chances of success in Friday night’s Emerson Radio 250.
Unfortunately Menards hopes for the night were unfilled as he battled an ill handling racecar from the drop of the green flag. On lap 160, Menard was about to go two laps down, when contact with the 66 car left the 15 car spinning and making contact with race leader Matt Kenseth. Menard retired from the event early, forced to settle for a 40th place finish.
With the Busch race behind him, Menard turned his attention to the Chevy Rock and Roll 400. Menard’s No. 15 Peak/Menards NASCAR Nextel Cup entry was a handful in practice and in qualifying, but once again, Menard had high hopes for the 400-lap event ahead.
“We changed a couple things. The COT drives so much different than a Busch car does and that kind of screwed me up more than anything.” Menard said following his 38th place qualifying effort. “I think it’s going to race good. We made some changes and I think it turned a little bit better. If can just figure out how to get in the corner we’ll be alright.”
Menard rolled off in 38th position in Saturday night’s race and briefly advanced into the top-35 before reporting a very loose handling racecar via radio communications. Menard settled in to the 37th spot for the opening 20 laps of the race before spinning by himself on lap 24.
“The car is still just wicked loose,” Menard reported. “But I don’t think I did any damage. We just need to make some major changes.”
As the crew went to work on the car under caution, Menard prepared for his return to the track. On lap 63 Menard was running in the 38th position when the caution flag flew. Crew Chief Dave Charpentier instructed Menard to stay out to lead lap 65 in order to gain those valuable bonus points. Menard restarted the race in 37th place, but continued to fight the handling of his racecar. On lap 105, Menard went one lap down when the leaders made their way back around the end of the field. On lap 184, Menard went two laps down, but continued to fight for position in the second half of the race.
On lap 228, Menard got into the fence when he was racing three wide for position. With minimal damage to the car, Menard charged ahead and finally earned his first Lucky Dog on lap 333 and again on lap 342, which meant that Menard could finish out the closing laps of the race on the lead lap and battling for position. Menard came away with his long weekend in Richmond with a 26th place finish in the Chevy Rock and Roll 400, an impressive finish considering the challenging and long night of racing.
“Even though we were loose early on, the real problem tonight was that these cars just don’t want to turn so you can either unhook the rear end to balance it out or you can try to find front grip and obviously everyone wants to find front grip.” Menard said following the race. “We’re still learning these things and it’s a work in progress. We’re sneaking up on it.”
