Paul Menard was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 6 Crown Royal 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Menard placed 16th and took top rookie honors for the second time this season. Five Raybestos Rookies competed in the Crown Royal 400, the most first-year drivers to start a Nextel Cup Series race this season. Juan Pablo Montoya leads David Ragan by three points (109-106) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the May 12 Dodge Avenger 500 at Darlington Raceway. The Dodge Avenger 500 will be race No. 4 in the Raybestos Rookie Magnificent Seven program. The Raybestos Rookie of the Race normally pays $1,500 but that increases to $5,000 at seven designated races throughout the 2007 season. Ragan captured the extra cash at Daytona and Martinsville while Montoya claimed the award at Las Vegas. Other races where the bonus is available: Infineon (June 24), Chicagoland (July 15), and Bristol (August 25). The most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap at Darlington: Kasey Kahne, who led three times for 24 laps in the 2004 spring race.(Raybestos/Camp & Assoc PR), see full report, standings, history and more on the 2007 Rookies page.(5-11-2007)
