Team 98 - Paul Menard

Team 98 - Paul Menard

Driver

Birthday: August 21, 1980
Marital Status: Single
Hometown: Eau Claire, Wis.
Resides: Charlotte, N.C.

A native of Eau Claire, Wis., Paul Menard's racing career began to take shape when he won the Briggs Junior Class Championship in his hometown of Eau Claire at the age of eight. He later became the Briggs Medium Class Champion before working his way up the proverbial racing steps. Menard ventured into ice racing when he was 15 years old and went on to win 10 International Ice Racing Association events. Even now, Menard continues to compete in IIRA events during the NASCAR off season.

Menard made his foray into NASCAR competition in 2003 and has proven to be a rising star. The Wisconsin driver posted his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series top-10 finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the spring of 2006. Still a full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, Menard continued to show strength by earning great finishes including his first NASCAR Nationwide Series victory at the Milwaukee Mile in June of 2006. Overall, Menard earned one win, 10 top-fives, 16 top-10s and a sixth-place finish in the 2006 championship standings.

The 2007 season faced several significant challenges for the driver of the No. 15 team. Not only was Menard required to qualify on speed for the first 19 races of the season, but with as many as 55 cars showing up to each event, qualifying was nearly as notable as winning. In addition, many considered the competition among the Raybestos Rookie class to have been at an all time high that year. Menard was awarded Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors at four events throughout the season.

In 2008, Menard posted his first Sprint Cup Series career pole at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Menard also posted his career best Sprint Cup finish at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

The end of the 2008 season brought change as Menard made the decision to join Yates Racing and veteran driver Bobby Labonte at Yates Racing for the 2009 season. Menard and his No. 98 Menards team went on to post seven top-20 finishes and finished 31st in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver point standings.

In 2010, Menard will join the famed Richard Petty Motorsports with teammates Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and A.J. Allmendinger. Menard will pilot the No. 98 Menards Ford Fusion full time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Menard enters his fifth full season of competition in the Sprint Cup Series, and also continues his representation of Quaker State, Serta Mattress, Turtle Wax, Moen, MasterCraft, Certainteed, Sylvania, Zecol, Pittsburgh Paints, Peak, Nibco, Schrock, Vertis and Energizer. Menards will be the primary sponsor for the No. 98 Ford Fusion carrying the neon yellow paint scheme around the track and across the country.

Joining Menard at Richard Petty Motorsports this season is legendary crew chief Richard "Slugger" Labbe. The entire No. 98 team looks forward to a successful run at the 2010 Sprint Cup Championship.

Off the track, Menard enjoys riding dirt bikes, go-karting, wakeboarding, and playing video games. The 29-year old driver resides in Charlotte, N.C.

Career Highlights

  • 2009: Menard finished the year 31st in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver standings, while earning seven top-20 finishes, ending the year 26th in overall Sprint Cup point standings.
  • 2008: Menard won the pole at Daytona International Speedway in July and finished second at Talladega Superspeedway, ending the year 26th in overall Sprint Cup point standings.
  • 2007: Menard scored Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors in four NASCAR Nextel Cup events. Recorded six top-20 finishes in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Recorded five top-10 finishes in his 11 NASCAR Busch Series starts.
  • 2006: Sixth in NASCAR Busch Series points with one win, seven top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. Recorded first NASCAR Busch Series win at Milwaukee. Earned first NASCAR Nextel Cup Series top-10 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
  • 2005: Earned five top-five and 13 top-10 finishes en route to a sixth-place finish in NASCAR Busch Series championship standings. Earned second career NASCAR Busch Series Pole Award at Talladega Superspeedway.
  • 2004: Captured first NASCAR Busch Series Pole Award at Kansas Speedway.
  • 2003: Scored first ARCA win at Talladega Superspeedway. Recorded first NASCAR Busch Series Top-10 finish (9th) at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Finished 12th in NASCAR Busch Series debut at Nashville Superspeedway.
  • 2002: Winner of Phoenix NASCAR Southwest Tour event.
  • 2001: Scored first NASCAR Re/Max Challenge Series event win at Road America - Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

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