Paul Menard Finishes Sixth in First NASCAR XFINITY Series Event of 2015

NASCAR XFINITY Series – HiSense 250
February 28, 2015 – Atlanta Motor Speedway

Paul Menard drove Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 Richmond/Menards Chevrolet Camaro to a sixth-place finish in his first NASCAR XFINITY Series event of the 2015 season. The Wisconsin native started from the 11th spot and raced inside the top 11 for the entire 163-lap event. Menard quickly noted a loose-handling condition, which crew chief Nick Harrison remedied during a pit stop on lap 47 with four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. The Richmond/Menards team visited pit road two additional times for a combination of four tires, fuel, track bar and air pressure adjustments to keep up with the changing track conditions. During his final pit stop on lap 133, Menard was caught on pit road when the caution was displayed but was able to stay on the lead lap. This set the team up for a restart from the eighth position on lap 139 and Menard charged to fourth by lap 140. The Richmond/Menards Chevy driver crossed the finish line in sixth after battling a tight-handling condition in the closing laps.

We had a fast Richmond/Menards Chevy today. It just got tight there in the closing laps, so I fell back two spots. Nick (Harrison, crew chief) and team always bring a fast car to the track. I appreciate their hard work today during pit stops to make the changes we needed. I think my next race in this XFINITY Series car is Michigan, so I’m looking forward to that. We won there last year and it’s been a good track for us. – Paul Menard

Start – 11, Finish – 6, Laps Led – 0, Points – N/A