Summer With Andy Petree Racing example essay topic

Eau Claire, WI (April 23, 2003) It's been a busy last two weeks for driver Paul Menard of Andy Petree Racing. Only a few days removed from completing an intense economics exam and a tough English paper, Menard is ready to make his ARCA Series racing debut at Salem Speedway in Salem, Indiana this weekend. It's a light at the end of the tunnel for Menard who has been working hard recently as his classes at the University of Wisconsin start to wind down for the summer". I've got less than a month left before the summer break, so it's going to get very serious here as I start to prepare for finals", said Menard between classes from campus. "Last week I had a big economics test and also a pretty big English paper to turn in. This week is like the calm before the finals storm so I'm excited to have the opportunity to race this weekend, get my feet wet with Andy Petree Racing and then round out the school year.

It worked out really well having a race this weekend since the pressure this week is a lot less than last week; I've been looking at this race as therapy for all the studying I've been doing". Salem Speedway is the first event of Menard's 18-race schedule this summer with Andy Petree Racing. He will also compete in NASCAR Truck, Busch and Winston Cup Series events as part of a "mixed" schedule to give him experience in all of NASCAR's different disciplines. Last Friday, during a short Easter break from school, Menard had a chance to test on Salem Speedway's high banks for the first time. It was also Menard's first time in the car working with Andy Petree".

Working with Andy was great. Obviously he was open to trying different things since it was a test, but the car was really neutral right off the trailer. We made a few changes to make the car go faster, but mostly we changed things just to give me a feel of how the car will react. As much as he knows, it was a team effort in making the car faster; he takes input from everyone on the crew. The communication lines are open with everyone", Menard said. Sunday's ARCA 200 race will be 200 laps around the tight half-mile oval.

Menard's background in NASCAR's Touring Series the last three seasons included numerous short tracks, just not quite the same as what Salem offers with its very high banks". By the end of the test, we were right where we needed to be. The line at Salem is a little different than other tracks because we run so close to the wall in the corners. Because of that we had a pretty stiff car which almost felt like a go-kart out there. The test went well - I know I was excited. It's my first race in this series, but I feel like it's reasonable for us to set a goal of finishing in the top-5.

On such a small track, traffic will be the big thing. It's very fast and also very narrow which should make it tough to pass. If we can qualify well and keep our track position our goals should be within reach. And who knows, if everything falls into place, you may just see the Turtle Wax Chevrolet in victory lane. That would certainly be the ultimate motivation heading into finals!" Menard's remaining school schedule will continue into mid-may. Once finals are over, NASCAR Summer School will be in session, complete with tests and wheel-to-wheel exams each weekend.