Paul Menard and Richard Childress Racing Phoenix preview

This Week's Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway ... Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 448 at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). This No. 27 Chevrolet SS is new to the RCR stable and will be utilized by the team for the very first time this weekend.

PIR Stats ... Menard has 14 starts at the one-mile oval in the Sprint Cup Series. His best start of seventh came in the spring of 2009 and fall of 2012, and his best finish of ninth came in both fall races of 2011 and 2012. He has an average starting position of 18.1 and finishing average of 21.9 in those starts. The Wisconsin native has completed 4,423 of 4,446 laps attempted (99.5%) at the Avondale, Ariz., track.

About Pittsburgh Paints ... PPG Pittsburgh® Paints is a nationally recognized brand trusted by painting contractors, building owners, architects, designers, and homeowners for over 100 years. Products include interior/exterior paints and interior/exterior stains. For additional information, please visit www.ppgpittsburghpaints.com.

Daytona 500 Look Back ... After starting 10th in the 56th running of the Daytona 500, Menard ran most of the race in the top-10 and top-five leading three times for 29 laps. However, after getting collected in a multi-car crash on lap 145 that forced him to the garage for repairs, he managed a return to action for a 32nd-place finish.

Race Rewind ... In his last appearance at PIR, Menard started the No. 27 Chevrolet SS from 16th place and took the checkered flag in the 20th position.

PAUL MENARD QUOTE:

What are your thoughts on racing at Phoenix International Raceway:

"I always look forward to going to Phoenix International Raceway because the size and layout of the track make for some fun racing. After coming from a place like Daytona International Speedway last weekend where the aero package is everything, its different racing at PIR because it doesn't mean as much. I'm looking forward to a good race because the new surface has aged a little bit more than our last visit. We've ran well at Phoenix in the past and I'm looking for the entire No. 27 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards team to have a great run. Speaking of the track, I would like to congratulate the entire facility on their 50th anniversary of operation."

RCR