Paul Menard 2011 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
2010 Stats: Points Finish 23rd, 0 Wins, 1 Top Five, 6 Top Tens, Average Finish 19.8, Average Running Position 19.3, Laps Led 17, Driver Rating 70.9
In 2011 Paul Menard will be setting up shop at Richard Childress Racing. Slugger Labbe will be relocating as well and will be Menard’s crew chief once again. During his time at RPM Menard had a career year. He completed 99% of the laps and scored 625 points more than his previous best season. He also finished in the top ten six times which is leaps and bounds better then any of his other seasons.
Strengths – Intermediate tracks are without a doubt Paul Menard’s strength. Every top ten of his in 2010 was on one of these tracks.
Weaknesses – Short tracks in general are an area needed for improvement. On ifantasyrace.com classified short tracks Menard finished 23rd to worse every time. He also struggled on the short flat tracks (New Hampshire and Phoenix).
Intermediate Track Grade- B-, Although they were Paul Menard’s strength in 2010 I foresee him taking a step back on these tracks at RCR. Moving to a new organization and being at the bottom of the totem pole (wasn’t there at RPM) doesn’t equal success.
Flat Track Grade- C, In all the short flat track races in 2010 Paul Menard finished either 28th or 29th. On the big flat tracks he finished in the low to mid teens.
Restrictor Plate Track Grade- B, In three out of four restrictor plate races in 2010 Menard finished in the teens. His lone outside the teens finish was a 25th at Daytona.
Short Track Grade- C-, Menard was very predictable on these tracks in 2010. He finished between 23rd and 30th in every single race. His average finish on this track type is 25.8.
Road Course Track Grade- B-, Menard is so-so on road courses. In the last two years he’s finished in the low twenties at Infineon and in the last two years at Watkins Glen he’s finished in the high teens.
How to use Paul Menard from a Fantasy NASCAR Perspective in 2011? Focus on using Paul Menard at intermediate tracks. Although I said I think he’ll take a step back in 2011 don’t let me scare you away from him. 2010 was a very good year for him on this track type, but I don’t think his change of scenery will be good for him. In all of his previous runs with the bow tie brand he only finished in the top ten two times. Part of the reason for his lack of success was that he was at the bottom of the totem pole, guess where he is again.
