RICHMOND, Va. – Confirmed to CATCHFENCE.com three weeks ago at Road America (Wisc.) with a simple “yes” Paul Menard said sponsor Menard’s had exercised their option to extend their contact with Richard Childress Racing for the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
In a report Thursday by Motorsport.com, Richard Childress Racing further confirmed Menard’s brief sentiment, acknowledging that the renewal is taking place, as the No. 27 team is more than likely to find themselves among the top-16 teams vying for the Chase for the Sprint Cup starting next weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.
Entering Richmond, Menard is currently 14th in the Sprint Cup standings. He has a 10-point advantage over 15th-place Clint Bowyer, who is the last driver currently on the Chase grid based on their point’s position. Both drivers will compete in Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 winless in 2015.
The 35-year-old has reaped the benefits of an incredibly consistent season. In 25 races, Menard has posted two top-fives and four top-10 finishes. In a partial XFINITY Series schedule, Menard earned his third career-win at his home track of the 4-mile road course of Road America last month.
With his sixth season on deck with RCR next season, Menard has just one Cup Series win to his credit, the 2011 Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a race won on fuel mileage.
“It’s always good to have them back,” team owner Richard Childress told Motorsport.com. “We kind of work a year-to-year deal. We got a three-year deal with options so it’s good to have them back.
“Paul’s a good race car driver. They’re good people to work with and we like promoting their business.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
