Car Notes - Pittsburgh Paints Chevrolet Impala SS
Nextel Cup Primary Car: Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chassis #101/ Back up Car #102
Last Used: Menard’s primary car for this weekend’s Dodge Dealers 400 was last run at Bristol Motor Speedway in August, where Menard qualified 41st and finished 24th in the 500-lap event. Menard was extremely happy with the car by the end of the race, stating that the final laps were the best of the night.
Fun ‘Cup’ Fact: Menard has won Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors in three of the Car of Tomorrow events run this season (Richmond – Spring; Phoenix – Spring; Watkins Glen – Summer).
Notes of Interest
While Paul Menard has yet to compete in a NASCAR Nextel Cup event or to lead a lap in NASCAR Busch Series competition at the Monster Mile, the 26-year Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate for Dale Earnhardt Inc. counts Dover International Speedway as one of his top three favorite racetracks.
Past Successes a Boost for Menard
Menard’s Dale Earnhardt Inc. lineage has a solid Dover track record to support Menard’s desire for success at the high-banked, one-mile concrete oval. While racing for Richard Childress, Dale Earnhardt Sr. notched three wins at Dover, sweeping the events in 1989. His understanding of the track translated to his namesake organization and in September of 2001, Dale Earnhardt Jr. brought home an emotional victory, winning the first race run following the September 11th attacks. Most recently, Menard’s teammate Martin Truex Jr. won his first Cup race in the summer event at Dover, just four short months ago.
There’s More to Dover than the Racetrack… 
Despite his focus on Dover success, racing isn’t the only thing on Menard’s mind when his plane lands in Delaware.
“There’s this awesome steak joint in town.” Menard said. “Cool Springs Fish Bar…you would never know it by the name, but it really is one of the best steaks I’ve ever had.”
Raybestos Rookie Power
Currently, Menard stands third in overall Raybestos Rookie ratings. He has 178 points; 41 points behind Juan Pablo Montoya who leads the battle with 219 points. Menard has won Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors in four events this season, including Richmond, Michigan, Phoenix and Watkins Glen.
Standings Status
Menard’s Dale Earnhardt Inc. lineage has a solid Dover track record to support Menard’s desire for success at the high-banked, one-mile concrete oval. While racing for Richard Childress, Dale Earnhardt Sr. notched three wins at Dover, sweeping the events in 1989. His understanding of the track translated to his namesake organization and in September of 2001, Dale Earnhardt Jr. brought home an emotional victory, winning the first race run following the September 11th attacks. Most recently, Menard’s teammate Martin Truex Jr. won his first Cup race in the summer event at Dover, just four short months ago.
Standings Status
After Paul Menard’s 24th place run at New Hampshire, he sits 34th in Driver’s Points, while the No. 15 team maintained its 29th place spot in Owner’s Standings. The team is has a 320 point cushion on the top-35.
Dover Cup Quotes:
Paul Menard on the Cup Race:
“I really like racing at New Hampshire International Speedway and it’s definitely an honor to carry the colors of Sylvania on our hood this weekend. This track is a lot like the Milwaukee Mile and last year’s win at the Mile will definitely be on my mind this weekend. It helps to have tested a bunch in the COT, at Milwaukee and Iowa, so we should have a handle on things come Friday during practice. I’ll definitely do my best to put on a good show and run up front for Sylvania.”
Nextel Cup Crew Chief Dave Charpentier on the Cup Race:
“This is the sort of track that Paul excels at, so I think we’re looking forward to a great weekend for Sylvania and for Menards Racing. It helps to have momentum from a great test at Talladega, coming into an event like this where we really want to do well for the sponsor. We’re taking the same car back that we raced here in July and we’ve made some slight modifications to it based on the findings of our test at Iowa last month.”
