Loudon: Paul Menard preview

Menard Sets Sights on Success at a Familiar Track

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 25, 2008) -- Paul Menard may not have been to Victory Lane yet in his NASCAR Sprint Cup career, but his experience winning at the Milwaukee Mile in the NASCAR Nationwide Series could help him find his way to a win during this weekend's LENOX Industrial Tools "301" at New Hampshire International Speedway.

"It definitely helps to have won a race at a similar style track," Menard reasoned. "There are a lot of people in the field who have won on flat one mile race tracks, though, so I'll definitely have some competition. But seeing as how I usually run well at this sort of track, you never know. I'd at least like to finish in the top 15, if not the top 10."

One factor contributing to Menard's potential success is the fact that he drives a Chevrolet. Chevy has been to Victory Lane 12 times at New Hampshire International Speedway, the most by any manufacturer. Menard will pilot this No. 15 Sylvania/Menards Chevrolet Impala SS during Sunday's 301-lap event.

While Menard hasn't tested at a one-mile track in the past few weeks, the Dale Earnhardt Inc. research and development team has been working overtime to improve the chance for success among its four cars.

"Our R & D team has been doing a lot of testing these past few weeks," Menard said. "Some of it will apply towards this style of track and will definitely help us out this weekend. They've also been doing a lot of mile and a half testing so that will come in handy at a track like Chicago."

Despite setting his sights on a strong finish in Sunday's race, his goals for the weekend encompass off track activities, as well.

"One of my non racing goals for this weekend is to eat a lot of lobster," Menard said. "The definitely have some great food up in New Hampshire."

-credit: pr/jrm