For the first half of Sunday’s 500 miler at Texas Motor Speedway, Paul Menard and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team were having their best run of the season.
Menard started 14th and quickly drove his way into the top 10. He finished sixth in the first 85-lap Stage and fifth in the second, earning 11 stage points, his first since the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
He was running third in the early laps of the third and final segment of the race when a loose wheel forced him to pit road for an unscheduled pit stop at Lap 194 of 334. Menard dropped to 28th place, battled back to 19th and ended the race in that position.
Eddie Wood said he and the rest of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane crew were disappointed with the final outcome but buoyed by the team’s performance in the first half of the race.
“The car was really fast, and Paul and the team did a great job,” Wood said. “We got our first Stage points since the Duels at Daytona, and we were able to consistently run in the top 10 and the top five.”
Wood pointed out that Menard continued his determined drive for the remainder of the race, but the breaks didn’t go his way.
“Paul wound up getting back on the lead lap at one point, but the caution flag flew at just the wrong time, and we missed the chance to get back on the lead lap and be in good shape again,” he said.
With 80 laps to go, Menard was in position to regain his lap should the caution flag fly, but that needed caution, for debris from Daniel Hemric’s blown tire, caught him on pit road and the opportunity was lost.
Wood said there are positives to take from an otherwise disheartening day.
“It was clear that we have the speed to run up front,” he said. “We just need to put a whole race together.”
Menard and the Wood Brothers will be back on the track this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.
About Motorcraft
Motorcraft® offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended and approved by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under-hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer exceptional value with the highest quality and right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford and Lincoln dealers, independent distributors and automotive parts retailers are backed by Ford Motor Company’s two-year, unlimited-miles Service Parts Limited Warranty. Ask for Motorcraft by name when you visit your local auto parts store or your favorite service facility. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
About Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers
Ford’s Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers routine vehicle maintenance such as oil and filter changes, light repair services including brake repair, and tire replacements on all vehicle makes and models. With more than 800 locations and growing, customers can visit www.quicklane.com to find a center that is closest to them, print savings coupons and review maintenance tips to keep their vehicles running at peak efficiency. This site includes information on how to spot tire wear, how to jump-start a battery and even a series of tips to improve a vehicle’s fuel economy.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glen Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glen’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Paul Menard in the famous No. 21 racer.
