NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - Camping World RV Sales 301
July 14, 2013 – New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Starting from the 14th position, Paul Menard and the No. 27 Libman/Menards team faced handling issues throughout the scheduled 301-lap event, earning a 17th-place finish when the checkered flag flew at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. After slipping back several positions in the early laps of the race, Menard made his way back inside the top 15 at lap 25. Shortly after, he communicated to crew chief "Slugger" Labbe that the No. 27 machine was loose on entry and tight through the center of the corners. The pit crew made a variety of adjustments during the ensuing pit stops in hopes of remedying the issue. The series of chassis and air pressure adjustments provided some relief to the Eau Claire, Wis., native, and he maintained a position within the top 15 until lap 206 when the team began to play the fuel strategy game, pitting on three separate occasions under caution-flag periods for fuel. Restarting in 22nd on lap 219, Menard was able to gain two positions quickly and maintained a top-20 running position for the reminder of the race, ultimately working his way up to 17th when the checkered flag flew. Menard now sits in 20th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings heading into the off-weekend.
It was a tough day for the No. 27 Libman/Menards crew. We struggled with handling issues for the majority of the day and never seemed to hit on the right setup. I have to give my team credit though, they never gave up and made a variety of adjustments all day to try and get the car to handle better. We'll use this off-weekend to regroup and head to Indy (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) looking for better results. - Paul Menard
Race Notes
- Started - 14th, Finished, - 17th, Laps led - 0, Points - 20th
- Following the event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Menard is twentieth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 36 points back from the 10th.
- The No. 27 team ranks twenty-first in the Sprint Cup Series owner championship point standings.
- Menard made 75 Green-Flag Passes over the course of the 302-lap event ranking him fifth overall.
