Menard's 100th Cup start 'more than a landmark'

CONCORD, N.C. -- Paul Menard and David Stremme will make their 100th starts this weekend, becoming the 177th and 178th drivers to reach the century mark in Cup Series history.

Menard

Menard will make his 100th Cup Series start on Sunday at Atlanta driving the No. 98 Ford sponsored by Menards and Johns Manville, a long-time vendor and partner with both Menard and the Menards Home Improvement Store.

Since his first series start on Aug. 10, 2003, at Watkins Glen, Menard has one top-five finish and two top-10s. His best finish was runner-up to Tony Stewart on Oct. 5, 2008, at Talladega.

"It's hard to believe that I'll be making my 100th Sprint Cup start this weekend in Atlanta," Menard said. "I can remember that day I first raced in a Cup series event, and I have to admit, as I think every driver will say, it was a huge day.

"What's really hard to believe is there are guys like Mark Martin still in the sport that just last week made his 1,000 start in a NASCAR event; something like that is an achievement.

"For me, this weekend in Atlanta is more than just a landmark," Mendard said. "It's ironic that Johns Manville is on the hood this weekend, they have been a long time sponsor and good friends of mine throughout my career not only in Cup, but in early days of my driving career."

Stremme, driver of the No. 12 Dodge for Penske Racing, made his debut on July 10, 2005, at Chicago; he finished 16th. He has three top-10 finishes, including a career-high eighth on April 29, 2007, at Talladega.

Penske Racing announced Tuesday that Stremme would be replaced by Brad Keselowski in 2010.

• Keselowski to join Penske, drive Cup and Nationwide