John Menard, the wealthy businessman who is helping bankroll Teresa Earnhardt’s DEI operation for racer-son Paul [Menard, #15], may be ready to pull out, too. Menard could wind up back working with struggling #7-Robby Gordon the two have long been business partners, and Gordon is trying to get his team righted again.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-1-2007) UPDATE: Robby Gordon has issued the following statement regarding Paul Menard: “It is the ultimate goal for RGM is to one day field two cars in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Despite speculation, there have been no discussions pertaining to Paul Menard joining RGM. John Menard has been a long time supporter of my racing program and is on board for ten events in the 2007 season – nine co-sponsored by Mapei and one co-sponsored by Johns Mansville.”(RGM)(6-2-2007) UPDATE 2: #15-Paul Menard denied a published report indicating he’s considering leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc., possibly to join Robby Gordon’s team. That’s not going to happen, said Menard, whose best finish this season is 15th at Texas. But Menard did say these are anxious times at DEI since Earnhardt announced last month he will leave the team at the end of the season. We’ll be OK as long as we get good people in key positions, Menard said. That’s what every race team wants and needs, and it’s probably what we don’t have at DEI right now. In the long term we’ll have to build that up and if we have to move some people around to make the appropriate changes, then that’s what needs to be done.(Thatsracin)(6-3-2007)
