Cup Car Notes - Johns Manville Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Nextel Cup Primary Car: Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chassis #038/ Back up Car #037
Last Used: Chicagoland Speedway in July 2007 (qualified 16th; finished 42nd – engine)
Fun ‘Cup’ Fact: Menard’s best runs have come on intermediate style racetracks like Kansas Speedway. Menard scored his season best finish of 12th in the June race at Michigan. Additionally, Menard has had finishes of 7th (Atlanta – 2006); 14th (Charlotte – 2006); 17th (Homestead – 2006); and 15th (Texas – 2007) at this type of track.
Busch Car Notes - JSuper Clean Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Busch Primary Car: Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chassis #012/ Back up Car #016
Last Used: Michigan International Speedway – August 2007 (qualified 7th; finished 7th)
Fun ‘Busch’ Fact: The DEI Busch team has top-ten finishes in four of it’s last five races run. Most recently the team scored a runner-up finish with driver Martin Truex Jr. Dover International Speedway. While the Busch team hasn’t won a race yet in ’07, both Menard and Crew Chief Mike Greci think this could be the team’s weekend to visit Victory Lane.
Pole Winning Milestone
Menard is quick to cite his fondness for Kansas Speedway. Having won his first Busch pole award at the 1.5-mile tri-oval in 2004, Menard’s potential for Kansas success is evident.
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.
Raybestos Rookie Power
Currently, Menard stands third in overall Raybestos Rookie ratings. He has 179 points; 43 points behind Juan Pablo Montoya who leads the battle with 222 points. Menard has won Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors in four events this season, including Kansas, Richmond, Phoenix and Watkins Glen.
Standings Status
Paul Menard is currently 34th in Driver’s Points, while the No. 15 team maintained 29th place in Owner’s Standings following last weeks race at Dover International Speedway. The team is has a 401 point cushion on the top-35. Menard’s prowess on intermediate style racetracks should aid his Dale Earnhardt Inc. backed team in its quest towards the top-20 in owner’s standings beginning with this weekend’s event at Kansas Speedway.
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.
Kansas Quotes:
Paul Menard on the Cup Race:
“It’s safe to say we’ve had a lot of potential on this sort of racetrack so it feels good to take a break from the COT this weekend. I really thought we had a good shot at top-10 finishes at Chicago and Michigan and those days ended early because of engine problems, so I think we should expect the same from Sunday’s race – a solid top-10 finish would be a good day.”
Nextel Cup Crew Chief Dave Charpentier on the Cup Race:
“This is definitely going to be a good weekend. This is Paul’s favorite intermediate car and this is probably our best shot at a top-five finish. We’ve come a long way with our intermediate track program not only this year but in the last few years. Paul and I seem to really be on the same page about how to approach a weekend like this with regard to our qualifying package and race strategy.”
Paul Menard on the Busch Race:
“I really like Kansas. I won my first pole there so I know I can get around the track well. It would be great to give this Busch team a victory. They’ve been working really hard this year to give us competitive racecars and I think our runs at Chicago and at Michigan showed that. The team finished second with Martin (Truex) last week at Dover, so they definitely have the momentum.”
Busch Crew Chief Mike Greci on the Busch Race:
“Our intermediate track program is obviously our strongest area on the Busch side. We’ve had some really good runs our last couple times out – Michigan and Chicago. I definitely have high hopes for a win this weekend, but we just want to give Paul some extra seat time to help the Cup deal and see what happens. A top-five would be great.”
