Menard Still Has More To Prove

Paul Menard will have a long NASCAR career whether he wins frequently or not. His father John owns the third largest home improvement chain in the U.S., Menard's. When young Menard became mesmerized by speed and decided to embark upon a career in auto racing, John stepped up and has financed his career every step of the way. Now that Menard has a win in Sprint Cup, and not just any win, but a win at the storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as well as a lifetime sponsor, he seems to be on top of the world.

Menard's NASCAR journey has been filled with criticism and disparagement, however. Some may have resented him, as he did not have to race on the weekends on the short tracks in small towns just to put food on the table. Though he raced a couple of years in the Nationwide Series, he really had no true ladder to climb.

Tony Stewart once said about Menard, "You can't buy talent". While it was cruel and harsh, many agreed with Stewart at the time.

Menard entered the Sprint Cup series when the economy began to sink. Sponsors were leaving the sport of NASCAR at a rapid pace, and drivers perceived as more talented than Menard were losing rides as well as financial backing. Meanwhile, Menard, who was barely cracking the top 20 each week had what every driver covets, a sure-fire sponsor.

It is no surprise that Menard's fortunate situation produced some haters. Menard did not seem to allow the denigration to bother him. He just continued to drive and learn. Eventually, Menard displayed promise in 2009 and 2010 while driving for Yates Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports.

Richard Childress added Menard and sponsor to his racing stables in 2011, and he is beginning to make some of the haters eat crow. His win at Indianapolis was a fuel mileage win, which may still draw some ridicule, but a win is a win in racing, and he did have a solid showing. He ran in or near the top 10 for much of the race.

Menard has been fast most of the season, and now finds himself in line to possibly qualify for the Chase for the Championship.

With all of this said, the driver has much to prove in NASCAR's top division. You cannot just go out and win one race and expect the envious belittling to come to a halt. He is going to have to back this win up with some more wins and more consistency. Qualifying for the Chase would be a major boost in his stock.