After two successful weekends on the short tracks followed by the Easter weekend break, Paul Menard and the No. 21 Quick Lane team head to one of the biggest tracks, Talladega Superspeedway where an all-new rules package will be used.
Gone are the traditional restrictor plates that have been used at Talladega and its sister track, Daytona International Speedway, for more than 30 years. In their place will be a tapered spacer, the same device that has been used on intermediate tracks this season to reduce horsepower.
Further changes for Talladega include a taller rear spoiler, nine inches instead of the eight used at other tracks this season, and a bolt-on track bar mount which will raise the rear of the car one inch to 12 inches.
There has been limited testing of the new package, which leaves lots of unknowns heading into this weekend’s GEICO 500.
“I’m not sure what to expect,” Menard said. “It’s a different package from what we’ve run there for years.
“We don’t know how the cars will draft, or whether we’ll end up running single-file or in tandem.”
He said he expects to see some drivers trying the tandem moves of several years back, where two drivers hooked up nose to tail to gain speed.
“I expect there will be some tandem drafting, but I don’t know how long two drivers can stay hooked up,” he said.
One thing Menard is sure of is that there will be more emphasis put on practice, which is a change from previous Talladega weekends, where teams tended to try to limit practice time in hopes of avoiding damage to their cars from a crash.
“We’ve got to see what the car needs and wants to go fast, so we’ll practice more than we’d normally like to since we’ll be putting ourselves at risk,” he said. “There are going to be some interesting practices.”
Menard said he and the Quick Lane team are headed to Talladega on a roll after strong runs at Bristol and Martinsville, where they had finishes of sixth and 10th, gained five spots in the standings to 16th place and scored Stage points in five of six Stages in the past three races, dating back to Texas Motor Speedway.
“We had a couple of good runs on short tracks, and now we go the biggest, fastest track we race on,” he said. “We have confidence and momentum. We just have to keep it going.”
Qualifying for the GEICO 500 is set for Saturday at 3:40 p.m. (4:40 Eastern Time), and the race is scheduled to start just after 1 p.m (2 p.m. Eastern Time), with TV coverage on FOX.
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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.
