Wednesday

Paul Menard / Roush Fenway Closing In On Nationwide Victory

Filed under Nationwide Series, Press Releases

CONCORD, N.C. (March 17, 2010) – With three races in the books for the Nationwide Series in 2010 Roush Fenway Racing’s Nationwide Series driver Paul Menard is riding a hot streak. Heading into this week’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Menard has two top-10 finishes in the NNS and sits at ninth in the point standings. Throw in the fact that after four races driving for Richard Petty Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series, the Eau Claire, Wis. native is also ninth in the Cup Series points, and you have the makings of a storybook beginning for Menard in 2010.

With each improving performance with Roush Fenway Racing, Menard believes he is getting closer to a trip to victory lane in the No. 98 Menards Ford. Menard has completed every lap in the Nationwide Series and averages an 11th-place finish this season.

“We are off to a solid start this year,” said Menard. “Our cars are fast. We need to be better over the long runs if we are going to be there at the end of races, but I believe we are close to sealing the deal in one of these Nationwide races very soon.”

Roush Fenway team owner Jack Roush echoes Menard’s sentiments.

“Paul Menard is going to be a race winner real soon this season,” said Roush. “He’s a good kid from a solid family and we’ve seen his team improve each week.”

Menard, who is in his first season behind the wheel of a Roush Fenway Ford in the Nationwide Series, said it has been an honor to drive for Roush.

“To be associated with Jack Roush is an honor,” said Menard. “The man has 400 motorsports wins and is a legend in the sport. He has very fast cars at every level and is as competitive as anybody in the sport.”

This week Menard and Roush head to the half-mile short track of Bristol Motor Speedway, where Menard will make his ninth career start on Saturday in the Scotts Turf Builder 300. If history is any indication, expect Menard to have his Ford at the front of the pack.

As with most drivers, Bristol presented a steep learning curve for Menard, who averaged a 31.75 place finishing position in his first four starts at the track. However, the next four races have been a different story for Menard, who has averaged an 11.5 average finish, including two top-10 finishes and three inside the top 11.

Menard would love to pick up his second career Nationwide victory this weekend at Bristol and he will be in the right equipment to do it. Roush Fenway boasts five BMS wins in the Nationwide Series, including David Ragan last fall.

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 and Paul Menard. For more information on any of the Roush Fenway Racing teams, log onto www.RoushFenway.com.

- Roush Fenway Racing Press Release