Late-Race Incident Relegates Menard to 30th-Place Finish at Pocono Raceway

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series – Party in the Poconos 400
June 9, 2013 – Poconos Raceway

Paul Menard and the No. 27 Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet team had their afternoon spoiled by a blown tire on the final lap and finished 30th in the 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Pocono Raceway. Menard started the race in the ninth position after persistent rain showers forced NASCAR officials to cancel Friday’s qualifying session. The 32-year old driver maintained a top-15 position during the first 60 laps while battling a loose-handling condition on his green and yellow machine. After falling out of the top 20 during the middle stages of the race, crew chief “Slugger” Labbe and the No. 27 pit crew went to work and made several adjustments to the car during multiple pit stops. As the race progressed, the Richard Childress Racing driver climbed back into the top 15 where he remained until bad luck struck on the final lap when a right-front tire went flat causing the Eau Claire, Wis., native to lose control of his car and slam into the outside retaining wall. In the end, Menard settled for a 30th-place finish and now sits 12th in Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.

Our Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet was pretty good for most of today’s race, but it was a tough way to end the day with a blown tire on the final lap. We’ll keep our heads up and look for a better result in Michigan next Sunday. – Paul Menard

Race Notes

• Started – 9th, Finished, – 30th,  Laps led – 0, Points – 12th
• Following the event at Pocono Raceway, Menard is twelfth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, trailing leader Jimmie Johnson by 136 markers.
• The No. 27 Rheem team ranks fifth in the Sprint Cup Series owner championship point standings.
• Menard posted 76 Green Flag Passes and 12 Quality Passes.