2008 Spin:
Paul Menard returns to the Dale Earnhardt, Inc.-owned No. 15 Menards Chevy for his second full season of Sprint Cup competition in 2008. The 28-year-old sophomore looks to build on the momentum gained last season, as he finds himself within in the top 35 in owner’s points, guaranteeing a qualifying spot in the season’s first five events.

“Usually you hear more of the ‘sophomore slump,’ but Martin (Truex) and Clint (Bowyer) proved that wrong last year,” Menard reasoned. “The Menards 15 team is in a position to improve. As long as we're showing improvement each week, we'll be there right with the rest of the teams.”

New crew chief Doug Randolph moved over from Petty Enterprises during the offseason to turn wrenches for the No. 15 team.

“Our first step has been getting our lines of communication (driver, crew chief, team, teammates, engineering) open and working,” Randolph said. “The road crew has undergone some changes. The pit crew that was good is getting better each day. We are trying to build some momentum in the offseason that we can carry into the first few races.”

That chemistry will be key in keeping this bunch in the top 35 and challenging for a Chase spot Menard craves. Randolph believes that with DEI’s equipment and a full season under the team’s belt, the No. 15 team could surprise.

“For 2008 our first goal is to finish in the top 20 in the first five races,” Randolph said. “This will help us establish a secure spot in the points. Then our next goal is to start consistently finishing with some top 10s. We want to win a race in 2008. If we can reach these goals, this would allow us to finish inside the top 20 in points. These goals give us a direction and starting place. However, as we start reaching these goals we strive to surpass them.”

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