Menard Finishes 43rd Under the Lights at Daytona International Speedway

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series – Coke Zero 400
July 6, 2013 – Daytona International Speedway

Paul Menard started the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway from the sixth position, but was relegated to a 43rd-place result on Saturday evening after experiencing mechanical issues early in the 161-lap event. Menard quickly moved up to third at lap eight and radioed to crew chief “Slugger” Labbe that the Rheem/Menards Chevrolet was handling to his liking. After settling into position, the field began to spread out single-file and Menard remained in the top three until lap 24 when his car caught fire forcing him to go to the garage. After accessing the damage, the team diagnosed the No. 27 with a terminal engine issue, ending Menard’s night early. The Eau Claire, Wis., native was credited with a 43rd -place finish and now sits 20th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standing heading into New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

We had a really fast Rheem/Menards Chevrolet tonight, and it’s really unfortunate our evening ended so early. It is a tough break for our team, but we’ll keep our heads up and go to New Hampshire Motor Speedway next weekend hoping for better results. – Paul Menard

Race Notes

• Started – 6th, Finished, – 43rd,  Laps led – 0, Points – 20th
• Following the event at Daytona International Speedway, Menard ranks 20th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, trailing leader Jimmie Johnson by 198 points.
• The No. 27 team ranks twenty-first in the Sprint Cup Series owner championship point standings.
• Menard completed 23 laps at Daytona International Speedway, all of which he ran within the top 10.

Photos