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Sprint Cup - Indianapolis Special For Different Drivers For Different Reasons


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Daytona, Jul. 19, 2012: Paul Menard hopes lightning can strike twice – and he can catch it in a bottle.

Menard shocked the NASCAR Sprint Cup world a year ago with his victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where 14 of 17 previous winners were champions Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte and Bill Elliott.

The Brickyard 400 victory turned out to be the season’s high point for Menard, who finished 17th in the championship standings. It was his last of four top-five finishes and also Menard’s most recent. He returns for the July 29 race ranked 15th in points – and still in the running for a Chase “Wild Card” berth.

For Stewart and Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Ryan Newman, Indy is a homecoming. Both grew up in Indiana as did Gordon, who left his native California in early childhood to race open wheel cars in the Hoosier State.

Newman continues to pursue a milestone 50th Coors Light Pole. He’s won at least one pole at 16 different tracks – but not at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he’s qualified six times among the top five.