Menard started the race from 24th place, picking up one spot from qualifying when a car ahead of him was disqualified for failing a Sunday morning inspection.
The race ran just 11 laps under the green flag before storms in the area, followed by heavy rain, led to a three-hour, 18-minute delay. And with storm clouds still in the area, race teams had to adjust their strategies in case the rains returned before the race reached its scheduled 400-mile distance.
Menard had gained two positions during the initial green-flag run and moved up to 14th place by taking only fuel on a pit stop during the caution period following the red flag.
With a green track due to the rubber being washed off by the rain, several teams including the Menards/FVP crew, experienced excessive tire wear during a long green-flag run in Stage One.
Menard had to make an unscheduled stop for a tire change, losing a lap in the process, but gained it back by being in the free-pass position when the caution flag was displayed with two laps remaining in the first Stage.
He lined up in 20th place for the restart and ran in the top 20 throughout Stage Two, ending that 80-lap run in 18th place.
In the third and final segment of the 267-lap race, Menard and the No. 21 team used pit strategy to move into 12th place then Menard picked up three more spots on a restart at Lap 177 to enter the top 10 for the first time.
He held on to the top 10 for nearly 20 laps before his Mustang developed a tight handling condition, and he ended the race one lap down in 21st place.
Menard and the No. 21 team now head to Daytona International Speedway, for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on July 6.
WBR PR
