Menards Racing and driver Paul Menard turned what could have been an otherwise challenging weekend into an opportunity to excel at the famed Daytona International Speedway.
“If you think about it, we were the highest finishing car that basically started in qualifying trim tonight. ” Crew Chief Dave Charpentier said following the team’s 21st place finish in the Pepsi 400. “I think all in all, it was a great night for us. Paul and the whole team did a great job. I’m really proud of everyone. ”
Prior to taking the Green Flag in the 160 lap event, Menard endured two practice sessions in 95 degree heat and a would be qualifying session that had the entire team in a bundle of nerves.
“It’s tough to get in these races so we have to go out in full blown qualifying trim, which definitely sacrifices the race setup. ” Menard said.
Luckily the rain came and Menard was guaranteed a spot in the race without ever having to make a qualifying lap.
Saturday night’s race began under the setting Florida sun and the team went to work from the drop of the Green to provide their driver with a well handling racecar.
“We knew we weren’t going to race very good because we came in a qualifying mindset, not a race mindset, so we gave up a little bit on the body and gearing. Actually it drove real good when the sun was out then as the sun went down it got really tight. ” Menard said of the early race handling concerns.
“We made some adjustments, got in a pit road accident, and I think it actually helped free the car up when we pulled the fender out. It was a long night but we’ll take a top-25. ”
With his Daytona Cup debut behind him, Menard quickly turned his attention to the upcoming race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.
“Next week is a totally different deal. It’s go back to racing, not just waiting to wreck. We’ll actually go racing next week. ”
| 
|