Last year, more than a few people, including this writer, dismissed Paul Menard signing with Richard Childress Racing for 2011 as a case of sponsorship dollars outweighing drive talent.
Pass the crow, please. Time to chow down.
Menard is turning out to be the real deal. He has yet to finish outside the top twenty, has completed all but one lap, and last week scored a top five at the concrete jungle otherwise known as Bristol. Either he had a massive infusion of talent this past off-season, or maybe he’s actually known how to drive all along but didn’t have a competitive car before now.
But it’s just the equipment, some may say. RCR has been putting together excellent cars as of late; witness how all three of its drivers were in the Chase last year. Granted. However, equipment alone cannot magically propel a driver into a previously unachieved skill level. For examples, look at Joe Gibbs Racing. Remember J.J. Yeley in the #18 car and Jason Leffler in the #11 car? As the records show, their respective successors in those rides have done a bit better. And neither of those cars suddenly found their way to Victory Lane on their own.
It’s way too early to declare Menard the Next Big Threat to Jimmie Johnson’s reign. That said, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his early season success last throughout the season.
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