Paul Menard and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang ran in the top 10 – and often in the top five – for most of the first two stages of Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway before the craziness of the final stage left them with a 16th-place finish.
Menard qualified 10th for the second-ever Cup Series race on the 2.28-mile road course at Charlotte Motor Speedway but moved up to sixth for the start after two drivers ahead of him had to drop to the rear before the start of the race.
Menard stopped for fresh tires and fuel near the end of the first 25-lap Stage and wound up 11th at the end of that segment.
Because he’d already pitted, he moved up to sixth place for the ensuing restart and held that spot through the majority of the second Stage before ending up in ninth place at the end.
Menard, who had already dodged several crashes in the first two stages, continued to evade spinning cars in his path, but his fortunes took a turn for the worse just after a restart with 16 laps remaining when he was collected in a multi-car crash in Turn Six.
After a trip to pit road for repairs, he rejoined the race in 32nd place and by avoiding more incidents in the final laps worked his way to 16th place at the checkered flag.
Eddie Wood said he was proud of the speed of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang and not overly disappointed with the day’s overall results.
“Things were going our way, and Paul was doing a good job missing the wrecks until that one late in the race when he got hit from behind, and it messed up the right rear and the right front,” Wood said. “The crew got it fixed and got Paul back out there, but he was in the back in dirty air, and everybody was fighting for every inch.
“It was just a war back there.”
Menard and the No. 21 Wood Brothers team return to the track next week for the 400-miler at Dover International 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 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.
