Each week, NASCAR makes the top 12 drivers in points available for a 15-minute media session.
Paul Menard -- Yeah, That Paul Menard -- Has A Top-12 Media Session
The faces marching through the infield media center are typically familiar: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, etc.
But there were two strange faces in the media center at Bristol: Scott Speed and Paul Menard.
Speed’s presence wasn’t entirely unexpected. After all, despite his lack of NASCAR success, he is an ex-Formula One driver.
But Menard?
The driver sponsored by his billionaire father’s company (Menards) has never really sniffed Sprint Cup success. In three full seasons, he’s finished 28th, 34th and 32nd in points.
And yet, here he was on Friday at Bristol, ninth in points after four races.
It’s early, but Menard has been impressive so far.
“It’s been a good start,” he said. “We haven’t had any real bad luck so far, so, knock on wood, hopefully we can keep that going and keep having solid finishes.”
Menard spoke quietly, calmly and with little emotion. He said it was “cool” to be in the top 10, but added, “It’s early in the year and we’ve got a lot of work to do.”
And for visiting the media center more often, which would mean he continues to stay in the top 12?
“I can definitely get used to it,” he said.
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