Menard Heading to All-Star Weekend with a Boost of Momentum

(Photo by NKP)

Going into the Monster Energy All-Star Race weekend, the Fords seemed to have figured it out winning seven races in 2018, which puts them ahead of Toyota and Chevrolet.

Paul Menard, driver of the No. 21 Wood Brother Racing Ford, has been under the radar this season. Although he has not shown the best results, he has radically improved his performance from years prior.

Menard has been running better overall with three top-10 finishes this year and is heading to the All-Star weekend with his second sixth-place result coming in this past weekend’s KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway.

On Saturday night, Menard will be competing in the Monster Energy Open along with some young rising stars that have caught a lot of attention in 2018.

But the 37-year-old has to do the opposite of last weekend and try to capture a Stage win early on to fill his spot in the starting lineup of the All-Star race.

Most will be keeping an eye on the drivers that have been closer to reaching victory lane or more popular, but a strong run by Menard can make a statement.

The Wood Brothers Racing team has improved over the last several years, and they sure have demonstrated it to their competition. Last season they reached victory lane with Ryan Blaney resulting in a chance to race for a championship.

This year the All-Star weekend is going to be a test to many with the new rules package. The aero package is similar to last years XFINITY race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which presented electrifying action at the Brickyard.

With Menards momentum after Kansas, he may be one to beat at the All-Star Open and can ultimately give them a boost toward the rest of the season to capture the Wood Brothers 200th victory.