#15-Paul Menard was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 17 Citizens Bank 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Menard finished 12th, his best effort in 10 starts this season, and he took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the third time in 2007. He also led the race once for one lap. #42-Juan Pablo Montoya leads #6-David Ragan by four points (159-155) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the June 24 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway. The Toyota/Save Mart 350 will be race No. 5 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: Daytona (Feb), Las Vegas, Martinsville (April), Darlington, Infineon, Chicagoland, and Bristol (August). The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie at Infineon Raceway is ninth, which is shared by Kenny Irwin (1998) and Ryan Newman (2002). Only one Raybestos Rookie has led a lap in 18 Nextel Cup races at Infineon Raceway. Scott Pruett led twice for 10 laps in the 2000 race. The best start by a Raybestos Rookie at Infineon Raceway is second, shared by Jerry Nadeau (1998) and Tony Stewart (1999). Ryan Newman holds the all-time Raybestos Rookie record for most poles (6), most top-fives (14) and most top-10s (22). Denny Hamlin is the only Raybestos Rookie to qualify for the Chase for the Nextel Cup since the program was created in 2004. At least one Raybestos Rookie has won a Bud Pole in each of the last 11 years (1996-2006).(Camp & Assoc/Raybetos PR), see standings, rookie of each race, history and stats on my 2007 Rookies page.(6-22-2007)
