09/30/2009 UPDATE: Paul Menard is looking (Auto Racing Channel)

Auto Racing Channel
Dustin Long

Rumors have been swirling that Paul Menard is shopping teams for his services along with sponsorship from his father's business Menard's (sponsorship being the key here). According to many sources Paul Menard isn't happy with the direction of the RPM-Yates merger. It's believed Yates would look alot like Ray Evernham did when Gillette took over GEM, out of sight and with a minority interest.

During a interview Richard Petty was asked on Tuesday after the Dover a few questions:

Petty on the merger with Yates: "We're still in negotiations. So far, they ain't signed nothing. So, they're still in negotiations.''

Q: Do you feel as good about it now as you did three weeks ago that it would get done?
PETTY: I feel like if we went this far, we're going to go forward with it.

Q: Do you know what the driver lineup will look like?
PETTY: Not right now. (Adding more speculation that Paul Menard might not be part of the merger).

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Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on September 30, 2009 at 8:41pm

Examiner.com
See Article Here: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-2149-Atlanta-NASCAR-Examiner~y20...

WHO'S THE MOST VALUABLE DRIVER IN NASCAR TODAY....PAUL MENARD?

It sounds like a silly question does it not. However, in the current state of economic affairs, Paul Menard is a hot commodity for NASCAR owners.

The most recent rumor concerning Paul Menard is that he could end up at Richard Childress Racing, along with his sponsor Menard’s, which is his father’s home improvement chain. Of course, he denied the rumor.

Many will claim that Menard’s sponsor the key to his survival in Sprint Cup. The home improvement chain will follow Paul Menard wherever he decides to go.

Menard entered NASCAR six years ago with Andy Petree on a limited basis, and moved on to DEI in 2005. He showed some promise at DEI in the Busch, now Nationwide Series. He became a top prospect.

At the time, the fact that his sponsor was his father’s company was rarely mentioned because Menard frequently ran near the front. He won a Nationwide Series event at the Milwaukee Mile in June of 2006 in a field that included Cup drivers such as Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, and Denny Hamlin. Because he was competitive, there was no need to mention that Menard only had a ride because of his name. He competed in a limited Cup schedule in 2006, and scored a top ten at Atlanta.

The Menards entered the Sprint Cup Series full-time in 2007. Two years and one top five finish later, Menard’s fruitless tenure with DEI came to an end. Menard’s career was far from finished, as DEI attempted to re-sign Menard. A few other teams showed interest in Menard and his sponsor, but he eventually decided to join Yates Racing. In 2008, Yates Racing displayed signs of potential with David Gilliland and Travis Kvapil often overperforming in underfunded cars. Additionally, the affiliation with Roush Fenway Racing was a strong selling point.

Menard has yet to land a top ten finish in 2009, and Yates Racing faces a ton of uncertainty. With the sponsorship issues most teams are facing, you have to believe that the Menard’s sponsorship played a role in Richard Petty Motorsport’s decision to merge with Yates Racing. It is reported that Menard is not thrilled with the merger, and could be searching for a new team for him and his sponsor. Very few teams, if any, would pass up an opportunity to sign a driver who can bring in a major sponsor.

The free agent pool is not as promising as it has been in years past, but based on experience, as well as accomplishments, Bobby Labonte, Jamie McMurray, and even Casey Mears would seem to be more sound choices to fill a vacant seat. Labonte, McMurray, and Mears cannot bring in a guaranteed sponsor, and companies are not exactly swarming into the sport with their checkbooks in hand.

I have nothing against Paul Menard. I want to see him succeed so he can erase the notion that he is only in the sport because of his father’s company. I do not think he lacks talent, as many others would assume. I can recall two or three races this year in which he had a possible top ten slipped away due to an accident or some kind of misfortune. Before you deem Menard unworthy of even sweeping the floors of a race shop, consider that he entered DEI’s Cup program when the company was in utter chaos.

Sure, he currently drives a Roush-prepared car in the Yates Racing stables, but that entire program is off the pace, even the trio of Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, and Matt Kenseth. Let us try to give Menard the benefit of the doubt.

Unfortunately, he takes some heat because he has the luxury of a guaranteed sponsor with very few credentials. Meanwhile, successful and popular veterans are rushed out of the sport, or to a lower-tier ride, because they cannot attract a sponsor.

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Permalink Reply by Karen on September 30, 2009 at 11:05pm

Do you think that Menard would ever consider partnering with RGM or vice versa? It seems like they have a close (or good working) relationship as Menard's sponsors a lot of Robby's cars. Having them together in one stable might be a consideration and ensure solid funding. OTOH - I am not so sure about Paul's driving abilities - he seems to be up there in the thick of things in many races with a lot of the bad luck that Robby has also experienced this year. hmmmm - on second thought maybe having them together isn't the best idea after all.

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Permalink Reply by Rob Hoban on October 1, 2009 at 8:25am

I saw this article as well and wondered the same thing about Paul's driving ability. Then I went back a few days and recalled how Paul did at Dover. He qualified 10th, ran in the top ten for a while and finished 19th on the lead lap. This while driving what most people would agree is an inferior car. I believe that he didn't finish in the top 10 because his car and team simply aren't good enough. The kid has talent and he needs better equiptment. You can argue that he has Rousch equiptment, but he doesn't have a Rousch team. This is why John is doing some shopping around, IMO. Unfortunately for RGM and Robby's faithful that would love nothing more than John to bring the full Menards support to RGM for a 2nd car, the reality is that if there is a car in RCR to be had, that probably is a better option for immediate results.

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Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on October 5, 2009 at 9:55am

John Menard said on Sunday that plans are not firm as to where his son Paul [#98 Menards Ford] and the lucrative Menards sponsorship will be next season. "We'll just see how it works out," Menard said. According to Menard, Paul is in the first year of a two-year contract which is non-transferable. Should Yates Racing merge with Richard Petty Motorsports [as was announced a couple weeks ago], the contract would be null and void.(FoxSports)

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Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on October 6, 2009 at 12:04pm

John Menard confirms he is in discussions with several teams, including RPM, about 2010. Paul has had a terrible year putting him in last place of all drivers that have attempted every race (Robby Gordon & Michael Waltrip have turned over their seats at select races, leaving Paul in last place.

Looking at the teams of interest: RCR would love to have Paul & Menards take over the #07 (likely to change numbers to 30), Penkse would have a open slot & Dodge would love to add another team to it's lineup. JGR would be out since Home Depot would be a conflict of interest. RGM has a strong relationship, but beem rumored many times it's doubtful Paul would drive for RGM. EGR would be open, but doubtful. SHR & Red Bull aren't interested in expanding (atleast not with Paul). Many believe Paul will be at RCR or Penske.

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Permalink Reply by Dave-O on October 6, 2009 at 5:41pm

This dead horse has been beaten enough. While we all seem to agree it'd be nice for Menard (or anyone with sponsorship) to come and allow RGM to expand, the discussion has really been beaten to death through several topics in the forums (IMO). Can we just let this die until a decision is made?