NASCAR Sprint Cup Series NRA 500
April 13, 2013 – Texas Motor Speedway
Paul Menard finished 17th at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday evening after having mechanical issues with two laps remaining in the 334-lap event. The Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet SS driver took the green flag from the 19th position and struggled with handling issues during the early and middle portions of the race. The No. 27 pit crew made an array of chassis adjustments on the ensuing pit stops in an attempt to remedy the loose handing condition on entry and exit of the corners. After a lap-152 pit stop for four fresh tires, fuel, air pressure adjustments and removal of a right-side packer, the 32-year-old driver relayed to the crew that the No. 27 machine was the best it had been all night. Steadily working his way toward the front of the field, Menard was scored 10th at lap 262. With just 19 laps remaining, the caution flag flew and the Eau Claire, Wis., native brought his car into the pits for four fresh tires and fuel. A lightning-fast stop by the crew allowed him to gain two spots, restarting ninth. Looking as though he was going to have his fourth top-10 finish of the season, rear suspension failure with just two laps to go relegated Menard to a 17th-place result in the Lone Star State. Menard now sits 10th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings heading into Kansas Speedway.
We struggled with the handling of the Quaker State/Menards car early in the race, but the crew never gave up and we were able to work our way inside the top 10. We had a fast Chevrolet SS at the end of the race, and it's unfortunate we had mechanical issues with just a couple of laps to go. We'll keep our heads up and head to Kansas Speedway looking for better results. - Paul Menard
Racing Notes
- Started - 19th, Finished, - 17th, Laps led - 0, Points - 10th
- Menard is 10th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, trailing leader Jimmie Johnson by 63 markers.
- The No. 27 Chevrolet SS team ranks 11th in the Sprint Cup Series owner championship point standings.
- Menard spent 157 Laps in the Top 15, for 47 percent of the 500-mile affair.
