NASCAR Cup

Phoenix: Paul Menard preview

Paul Menard * In the Sprint Cup Series, Menard has recorded four starts at Phoenix International Raceway. * PEAK will make its debut on the hood of the No. 98 PEAK / Menards Ford Fusion for this weekend's Subway Fresh Fit 500. * ...

Published: Jun 19, 2009, 7:50 PM

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Paul Menard

* In the Sprint Cup Series, Menard has recorded four starts at Phoenix International Raceway.

* PEAK will make its debut on the hood of the No. 98 PEAK / Menards Ford Fusion for this weekend's Subway Fresh Fit 500.

* Menard has completed 99.6% of laps in four starts in the Sprint Cup Series at Phoenix International Raceway (1,244 of 1,249 laps).

Menard on racing at Phoenix International Raceway:

"After our top-15 run in Texas a couple weeks ago, I wasn't ready for the off weekend, I wish we could have gotten back out there a little earlier. I know it was a good break for everyone back at the shop, but now it's time to get back to the track. I've always enjoyed racing at Phoenix and this weekend with running the Nationwide race, I'll get some extra track time to prepare for Saturday night's race.

"Phoenix is a tough track because it's more of a flat track and it has two different corners. You have to adjust your car for both coming off of turn two, as well as getting into three and four. It isn't a track that symmetrical at both ends, so it creates a bit more of a challenge.

"With running the Nationwide race on Friday night, that should help us a little more on Saturday night for the Sprint Cup race. It's our first race of the season under the lights, which is always fun. We have PEAK on the hood for the first time this season -- it should be a good weekend overall for the No. 98 team."

Crew Chief Larry Carter on racing at Phoenix International Raceway:

"I've said it before, but we are just focusing on chopping down one tree at a time right now and not the entire forest. We got ourselves behind a little bit this season due to dumb luck and now we are working our way back. We had a decent run in Martinsville, and then a pretty good run last week in Texas. If we can continue that upward swing we'll be right back in it. Ford Racing has come a long way with our flat-track program, which gives us a lot of confidence that we will have another good weekend with the No. 98 PEAK / Menards Ford Fusion."

-credit: yr

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