Are Paul Menard and Scott Speed for real?

Scott Speed is one of the most improved drivers in 2010 (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

While the escalating feud between Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski dominate the water cooler talk for this week, perhaps f or weeks to come, a storyline that seems to be lingering in the background is the sudden emergence of two of last year’s most underachieving drivers, Paul Menard and Scott Speed.

Both drivers have opened themselves up to criticism by their lack of performance on the track in 2009. Menard is supposed to be the rich kid who can only maintain a ride because of his father’s funding. Menard’s sponsors Menard, and has ever since he broke into the sport several years ago with Andy Petree Racing, and then DEI.

Menard struggled exceedingly from 2007 to 2009 (he had a top ten in 2006 driving a partial schedule), scoring a total of one top five finish, which is also his only top ten finish throughout that span of time. Sure, Menard never had the luxury of Hendrick Motorsports equipment, on the other hand, he was not stuck with Gunselman Motorsports, or NEMCO Motorsports equipment either. Menard’s first three seasons in Sprint Cup were forgettable to say the least.

However, the Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates Racing merger seems to have given Menard a heavier foot. In 2010, Menard has scored finishes of 13th, 18th, 17th, and 5th, and currently sits ninth in the Sprint Cup championship standings after four races. The finishes did not just fall into his lap; in fact, the finishes actually reflect how he was performing throughout most of the races. The first three races, he spent the majority of the time around the top fifteen. At Atlanta, Menard clearly had a top ten car, and a savvy call by his crew chief Slugger Labbe put him in position to score his first top five since Talladega in October of 2008.

“These guys worked their tails off all during the offseason, and it was a lot of fun out there today. All of our cars were fast this weekend. We got three of the top six finishers (Kahne 4th, and Allmendinger 6th), so I think Richard Petty Motorsports is back,” said Menard following his fifth place finish.

Scott Speed is another driver who opened himself up to some criticism last year. He talks a big game, but he suffered through a miserable rookie season, one in which he failed to crack the top 35 in the owner’s standings. He finished behind the single car efforts of Front Row Motorsports (now a 3-car operation), as well as Robby Gordon Motorsports.

His on-track performance was not the only issue. His quirky behavior often left fans befuddled. I admit, I have had a difficult time warming up to this guy. I mean, he paints his toenails for goodness sake. Can you imagine Dale Earnhardt telling Richard Childress, or Cale Yarborough telling Junior Johnson, ‘Hey, I will be late getting to the shop today because I am going to get a pedicure’?

Junior Johnson would probably fire Yarborough on the spot regardless of the wins and championships. Childress would probably laugh his you know what off thinking it was one of Earnhardt’s typical pranks.

Speed also reminds me of the kid in school who believed that he was the absolute coolest kid on the block, often drawing unnecessary attention to himself with outlandish words and fashions. While he repeatedly told himself that he was the coolest kid in class, he was actually the joke to everyone else.  We all remember that kid.

Speed’s eccentricity may appeal to some fans, but it just does not seem real to me. I have been wrong about people before, I could be wrong again. Nevertheless, regardless of my opinion of Speed’s persona, he has stepped up his on-track performance in a huge way in 2010. Speed has led nineteen laps this season, and following his tenth place showing at Atlanta, he is sitting twelfth in the championship standings.

Speed may also be saving his seat at Red Bull Racing with his recent string of solid performances. Two years ago, Allmendinger did not develop promptly enough; hence, Red Bull Racing dumped him towards the end of his sophomore season. Allmendinger’s fate could be Speed’s motivation. Allmendinger does not seem to be suffering too badly right now, however.

The season is still young, so time will tell if Speed and Menard are for real. Are they really going to stay near the top twelve, or fade back into the sub-twenties? While I believe these two young drivers have vastly improved, I am not sold on the fact that they are true Chase for the Championship contenders yet. If you glance at the drivers behind them in the standings, they have to fend off Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kasey Kahne, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Joey Logano, Ryan Newman, David Reutimann, and a few others who are capable of putting together a string of strong showings.