DEI adds Menard for rest of 2004, all of '05

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Menard's Super Home Centers announced Wednesday a new long term partnership in the NASCAR Busch Series with driver Paul Menard.

Dale Earnhardt Inc. joins the NASCAR Busch Series with a full schedule, beginning July 24 in the New England 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway. After winning two NASCAR Busch Series Championships in 1998 and 1999, DEI discontinued its Busch Series operation to focus solely on the NASCAR Nextel Series.

This newest program features the No. 11 Menards Chevrolet with Menard for the remaining 15 races on the 2004 Busch Series schedule. In 2005, the DEI team will compete for their its Busch Series championship running the entire schedule.

	Paul Menard has been driving the No. 33 Chevrolet this season. Credit: Autostock

"Dale Earnhardt Inc. has a long history of partnering with companies that share the same commitment as we do when it comes to motor sports and winning championships", stated Teresa Earnhardt, President and CEO of Dale Earnhardt Inc. "John Menard and his organization share that commitment, which is one of the reasons we have entered the NASCAR Busch Series with Paul as our driver. We have both won championships in motorsports and look to continue that winning tradition."

Menards is headquartered in Eau Claire, Wis., and is the largest home improvement chain in the Midwest. John Menard, President and CEO, is an avid motorsports enthusiast involved with racing throughout his career, including sponsorships in the IRL, ASA, NHRA, NASCAR Truck Series, title sponsorship of the Menards Infiniti Pro Series, and a 25-year heritage at the Indianapolis 500

"We're really excited for both Paul and the direction of our company by way of this association," Menard said. "We hope to make this something all our team members can be a part of through advertising, promotion and, most importantly, winning. When our cars win on the track, so does everyone who works and shops at Menards."

Paul Menard, 23, started his career racing go karts and competed in ice racing events at 15. He has continued to develop his skills over the past four seasons collecting valuable seat time by competing in racing series including ARCA, ASA, NASCAR Southwest Tour, NASCAR Truck Series, NASCAR Busch Series, SCCA Trans-Am and the Grand-Am Series. In 2004, he is currently 22nd in the NASCAR Busch Series point standings with a season best finish of 13th at Nazareth Speedway. He is second in the series Rookie of Year battle trailing the leader by 94 points.

"Since I started racing at seven years old, I've dreamed about racing at the top of the sport in NASCAR," Menard said. "To have the opportunity to race for Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and Teresa Earnhardt, is pretty amazing. I'll have a great teammate in the DEI family who's currently running for the championship right now in Martin Truex Jr. I'm looking forward to not only taking a big step forward in my own racing career, but to helping him and his team win the Busch title this season. I really can't wait to get started."