2014 Driver Reviews: No. 21 Paul Menard
After doing exit interviews for Sprint Cup Series drivers in 2013, we're turning the tables. We want the drivers to sell themselves. So here are the resumés for all full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers in 2014. Then, at the end, we'll provide a summation of the driver's season in 150 words or less.
Name: Paul Menard
NASCAR Experience: Parts of 12 seasons in the Sprint Cup Series including eight full-time seasons. Brickyard 400 winner.
Most recent team: Richard Childress Racing
Most recent season finish: 21st
2014 accomplishments: Paul Menard doesn't like talking about Paul Menard and talks about Paul Menard in the third person. Brevity is big. Five top fives. Third at Las Vegas. 2011 Brickyard 400 winner.
Most memorable moment: 2011 Brickyard 400 winner. Was twice in the top 10 in points in 2014. Why do you want all this information?
Strengths: 2011 Brickyard 400 winner. Last name.
2015 goals: Attempt to go the entire season without an interview, which may be impossible if the Chase is made. This is a tough potential dilemma.
FTM's Take: The quietest driver in the Cup Series garage, Menard is not one for many public words. He's got the gig that many of us would love to have. He's self-funded, drives for a good team in the series and stays out of the spotlight. Of course, that's easy to do when you run mid-pack, but there's a lot of something to be said for never making headlines on the down side of the spectrum.
However, as mentioned in the 2015 goals section of this entry, Menard would have to put himself in the spotlight if he made the Chase. And given the expanded Chase field, it's not a crazy thought. He was 14th in points after Atlanta, but was the fourth driver out on points after Richmond and ended up 22nd. If he stays consistent and more drivers ahead of him win (and maybe even Menard himself wins), who knows?
Previous reviews: No. 22 Brian Vickers, No. 23 Marcos Ambrose, No. 24 Martin Truex Jr., No. 25 Tony Stewart, No. 26 Casey Mears, No. 27 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 28, Danica Patrick, No. 29, Justin Allgaier, No. 30, David Gilliland, No. 31 Cole Whitt, No. 32 David Ragan, No. 33 Michael Annett, No. 34 Reed Sorenson, No. 35 Alex Bowman
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
