Paul Menard and the No. 21 Menards/FVP Ford Mustang are set to start Sunday’s Camping World 400 at Chicagoland Speedway from 25th place.
The first driver to run against the clock Saturday afternoon, Menard toured the 1.5-mile track at 173.244 miles per hour. His starting position won’t be officially set until Sunday morning, after NASCAR officials complete a post-qualifying inspection on the cars, which were impounded immediately after qualifying.
Menard, who said after qualifying that his Mustang was too free on his qualifying lap, had shown better speed during the two practice sessions held earlier in the day on Saturday.
He was 12th fastest in the opening session with a best lap at 174.413 mph and 16th best in Happy Hour with a best lap at 173.555 mph.
Sunday’s Camping World 400 is set to get the green flag just after 2 p.m. (3 p.m. Eastern Time) with TV coverage on NBCSN as the Monster Energy Cup Series TV broadcasts switch this week from FOX to NBC.
WBR PR
