Catchfence

Paul Menard - Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR

No. 27 Schrock/Menards Chevrolet Impala

Race Notes and Quotes

This week’s Duracell/Menards Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 364 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This No. 27 Chevrolet Impala was a brand new addition to the RCR fleet for the 2011 season and was last seen on track at Atlanta Motor Speedway in October, where Menard started 22nd and finished 18th. This racer also saw competitive laps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where Menard drove it to Victory Lane after starting 15th

Homestead Tidbits … In his five previous starts at the 1.5-mile raceway, Menard has completed 99.6 percent of his laps (1,330 of 1,336). He has a 31st-place average starting position and an average finishing position of 25.4, with his best result of 19th coming in the 2010 season finale. Menard also earned his best start at the Homestead, Fla.-based track in November 2010 when took the green flag in the 16th position.

A Loopy Year in Review … After 34 races, Menard has an average starting position of 11.7, ranking him fourth among of all drivers and third among those competing full time. He maintains an average running position of 16.606, has made 3,929 green-flag passes (ranked fifth of all drivers), has spent 4,647 laps racing in the top 15 (ranked 18th of all drivers), and is ranked fourth in the Loop Data category of Quality Passes (1,958 green-flag passes while running in the Top 15). He has also completed 96.4 percent of his contested laps this season (10,005 of 10,383).

2011 Season Statistics:

Starts: 34

Win: 1

Top-five finishes: 4

Top-10 finishes: 8

Best start: 2nd (Pocono Raceway, June and Chicagoland Speedway)

Best finish: 1st (Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

Laps led: 81

About Duracell … Part of the Procter & Gamble Company [NYSE:PG], Duracell has been powering people around the world for more than 40 years. Their products serve as the heart of devices that keep people connected, protect their families, entertain them and simplify their increasingly mobile lifestyles. As the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance alkaline batteries, Duracell also innovates in disposable, renewable and peripheral technologies and markets general purpose flashlights along with the advanced Daylite® LED flashlights. Visit www.duracell.com for more information.

Race Rewind … One year ago, Menard started the 267-lap event at Homestead-Miami Speedway from the 16th position. He reported to crew chief Slugger Labbe that his machine turned well, but was loose off the corners. The team made adjustments on the Mastercraft/Menards racer and Menard finished 19th, capping the 2010 season 23rd in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.

In the Rearview Mirror: Phoenix … Menard and the Duracell/Menards team started from the 11th position and spent the afternoon making minor chassis and air pressure adjustments to combat a loose-handing condition. Rebounding after being scored a lap down to the leader when the caution came out while Menard was entering pit road, the Eau Claire, Wis., native recorded his best finish at Phoenix International Raceway with a ninth-place result in Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500.

PAUL MENARD QUOTES:

You’ve had some ups and downs this season including a win, would you like to see the season end or keep going after the race Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“There’s always mixed feels whether you want the season to end or not at Homestead. You kind of want to get going onto next year and get a fresh start but on the other hand, you feel like you have some unfinished business and want to keep working on what you’ve been working on all season. It’s always kind of bittersweet in Miami.”

Do you feel like the season has gone by slow or fast?

“It’s been up and down emotionally for our team, but the season itself has gone by pretty fast. It’s hard to believe we’re at the last race already.”

How important is it to end the season on a high note?

“It’s really just another race. You run well there and you’ll feel good for a couple days after but then it’s back to work. I try to take a vacation and enjoy Thanksgiving maybe go deer hunting but after all that, it’s back to work and focusing on the 2012 season.”

You seem to have a handle on the 1.5-mile race tracks.