NASCAR Cup Series

Menard close to deal to drive for RCR

Published Aug. 5, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Paul Menard appears to be closing in on a deal that will lock him into the fourth Sprint Cup car at Richard Childress Racing.

Multiple sources have told FOXSports.com that Menard would drive the full Cup season at RCR, potentially in the No. 32 car, and pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet part-time in the Nationwide Series under the Kevin Harvick Inc. banner.

When asked about his future Sunday at Pocono Raceway, Menard didn’t deny he was considering his options.

“We have to cover our bases,” Menard said. “But we haven’t done anything yet.”

RCR ran a four-car operation last year. After the Jack Daniels sponsorship ended, team owner Richard Childress said he would not field four cars again without sufficient resources to cover a fourth operation. With Menard carrying his own sponsorship into the program, funding is not a problem. Sources added that the Menard brand could also serve as an associate sponsor on the existing Childress cars.

Prior to this season, Menard competed under the Yates banner in the No. 98 Ford. With a variety of crew chiefs, Menard lacked consistency before the company merged with Richard Petty Motorsports and he was partnered with Slugger Labbe this season.

Menard and Labbe clicked immediately. The pair held onto the top 15 in the point standings until Menard was involved in a multicar crash in Texas in April. He is currently 23rd in the point standings, but under Labbe’s tutelage, Menard is 510 points ahead of where the No. 98 team was last year.

Certainly, the overall performance of RPM has been a consideration for Menard; Ford’s first Cup win of the season occurred Sunday. Although Ford has three drivers in the Chase Zone, only Roush Fenway racers are represented among contenders for a postseason position.

RCR’s Kevin Harvick has two wins to his credit, and as Menard quickly pointed out, “They are leading the points.” Childress’ three Cup racers, Harvick, Jeff Burton and Clint Boywer, are currently in the Chase Zone.

One holdup with the completion of the deal appears to be the NNS portion of the contract. Until the 2011 Nationwide Series schedule is released, it’s unclear how many races it will be practical for Menard to race.

Austin Dillon, who pilots the No. 3 Chevrolet in the truck series and is sixth in the points standings, is expected to share driving duties with Menard in the NNS car at KHI. Mike Dillon, RCR VP of competition, said the company would no longer field Nationwide cars in house after this season, but will rely on KHI to field its NNS interest in the future.