About Paul Menard
John Paul Menard, an American former professional stock car racer with a net worth of an estimated $55 million, was born on August 21, 1980. Menard most recently raced continuously in the No. 21 Ford Mustang for Wood Brothers Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. After the 2019 season, Paul Menard ended his regular competitive career.
Before progressing to Late Models and other stock car racing series, Paul Menard gained his racing experience in karting and ice racing.
Menard competed in the ARCA series for the first time in 2001 and won at Road America. Menard was an expert in road racing and would drive anything with wheels. The following year, he continued competing in ARCA, but he also did well in races entered in the Grand Am and SCCA Trans Am series.
In 2003, as a road race ringer for Andy Petree Racing, he attained his dream ride. He was given a chance by Dale Earnhardt Inc. after a strong performance in that car. He excelled once more, and DEI, Robert Yates Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, and Richard Childress Racing offered him the chance to race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on a full-time basis.
Menard has not had a glamorous career. He has one career pole and one career win in his first six seasons.
Menard’s increased frequency of running in front and his continuous improvement in the points are both positive signs. He finished 31st in the 2009 season. Later, in 2010, he made a jump to 23rd. He advanced to 17th the next year, then to 16th once more in 2012. Paul Menard can become a threat to make the Chase and compete for the Championship if he can maintain his steady forward progress.
- Car: Number 27 Chevrolet
- Team: Richard Childress Racing
- Sponsor: Menards
- Birthdate: August 21, 1980
- Social Media Contacts: Websites: http://teammenard.com/ Twitter: @RCR27PMenard Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaulMenard27
Rookie Season
As a ringer in road races, Paul Menard got his start in NASCAR. He tried to qualify in Sonoma in 2003 but was unsuccessful in getting on the field. He managed to sneak into the Watkins later in the year.
Glen will make his debut from the starting lineup. For Andy Petree Racing, Menard completed a solid 29th after starting last.
He competed in one more race in 2005, also in Watkins Glen. Menard had again another very solid performance, starting 42nd and finishing 27th. This time, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the driver.
Paul Menard started seven races for the Sprint Cup team of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2006; his best finish was ninth in Atlanta.
In order to compete as the #15 for Dale Earnhardt Inc., Menard finally joined the NASCAR Sprint Cup rookie class of 2007 along with his whole Nationwide Series squad.
Menard’s first Cup Series season was a trying one for him. In his thirty starts, he was unable to finish in the top ten and failed to qualify for six races. Menard’s best performance of the year came in Michigan, where he placed twelfth.
With a victory and six top-ten finishes during the year, Juan Pablo Montoya easily captured the 2007 Rookie of the Year award.
At Chicagoland Speedway for the Overton’s 400, Menard won his second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series pole ever in 2018. Paul Menard’s net worth is projected to be $55 million as of 2023. Menard, who will stop regularly competing after the 2019 season, last raced in the No. 21 Ford Mustang for Wood Brothers Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
Paul is the son of Menards company founder and home improvement entrepreneur John Menard Jr.
