Catchfence

Menard Remains 6th in Nationwide Points Standings

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 29, 2010) – Paul Menard started the TECH-NET Auto Services 300 Nationwide Race in the 12th position on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Menard’s right front fender was damaged on the second lap when he made contact with the No. 7 car (Steve Arpin). The Richmond/Menards No. 98 Pit Crew repaired the fender and kept Menard in the race. Menard battled all afternoon with his damaged car and was able to salvage a 19th-place finish. Menard remains sixth in Nationwide Points Standings.

On lap two, Arpin’s No. 7 car came down the track clipping Menards front right fender and bringing out the first caution of the race. Menards Richmond/Menards Ford Fusion was badly damaged and the pit crew went to work. Crew Chief Matt Puccia called Menard to the pits for right side tires and to fix the damage on the fender. Menard would pit again on lap five to continue repairs and to add tape to the fender. Puccia kept the pit crew focused on performing good quality repairs as there were 195 laps remaining in the race.

Another early caution on lap eight gave the team another opportunity to pit. The crew quickly prepared sheet metal and tape for additional repairs. On lap 27, Menard reported the car was “good on entry, tight in the center and plows off the turn.” Despite this, Menard continued to make his way to the front.

Menard pitted under green on lap 67. Puccia called for track bar and air pressure adjustments as well as four tires and fuel. On lap 86, Menard reported that the adjustment had “helped a ton” and he was looking forward to more adjustments on the car; he was now running 23rd.

Menard continued to work his way up to the 20th position when he pitted again on lap 137. The crew made another track bar adjustment, added tape to the fender and put four tires on and added fuel. Menard was now up to the 18th.

The caution flag flew on lap 185 and Menard came in for four tires, fuel, air pressure and wedge adjustments. Menard avoided any more trouble and finished 19th on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“The 7 car took us out of contention early and that was disappointing,” said Menard. “The crew stayed focused and worked hard to keep us in the race and bring our Richmond/Menards Ford Fusion to the finish line.”

The Nationwide Series will travel to Nashville next weekend where Menard has finished 1,515 of 1,575 laps in seven career starts.

About Roush Fenway

Racing Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR’s largest team operating eight motorsports teams. Four in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with drivers Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and David Ragan; and four in the Nationwide Series with Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Colin Braun, Brian Ickler, and Paul Menard. For more information on any of the Roush Fenway Racing teams, log onto www.RoushFenway.com. Become a fan of Roush Fenway Racing on Facebook by going to http://www.facebook.com/roushfenway. And for sponsorship inquiries please contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645.

- Roush Fenway Racing, Press Release