What was said on Menard's radio before his spin at Richmond

Cup cars get on the track today at Chicagoland Speedway but the discussion still centers around Paul Menard’s spin late in last weekend’s race at Richmond that played a role in helping teammate Kevin Harvick win the race (along with Harvick’s team beating Jeff Gordon’s team off pit road during that ensuing caution to take the lead).  Gordon, who was leading when Menard spun, called Menard’s spin “fishy’’ on Thursday.

NASCAR later declared Thursday that it saw no evidence that Menard did anything intentionally to cause the caution.

Speed Channel aired a portion of the radio chatter on Menard’s radio this week. Also Yahoo! Sports published some of what was said in the last 65 laps on Menard’s radio and also provided audio of it.

In a segment with Jimmy Spencer on “Race Hub,’’ Speed Channel broke down the radio chatter.

It started with the reaction of Jeff Gordon’s team after the race:

 Alan Gustafson on Jeff Gordon’s radio said: “How’d that 27 spin? Jeff (Dickerson, spotter), did you see that?’’

Spotter Jeff Dickerson: “ Somebody told me it was on his own, but I didn’t see it. I was chasing down the 47 (Bobby Labonte’s spotter). I’m sorry.’’

Said Jeff Gordon: “That’s alright, karma will come back to haunt ya.’’

Spencer said Speed listened to the chatter on Menard’s radio the last 70 laps. Here’s some of what Speed aired. (NOTE: Understand, these conversations are put together but they take place over the last 50 laps or so, so the conversations are not as instantaneous as they might seem here:

Menard’s spotter Stevie Reeves: “29 car is leading by two seconds right now, do not need a caution.’’

(NOTE: Menard told SB Nation that he did not spin on purpose and explained some of the radio chatter.)

Menard (a little later): “Do not need a caution?

Reeves: “10-4’’

Later in the race, Speed aired this exchange on Menard’s radio channel:

Reeves: “29 has a two-second lead.’’

Reeves: 30 (laps) to go, 24 (Gordon) on his bumper right now (referring to Harvick’s bumper as they battled for the lead).

Crew chief Richard “Slugger” Labbe: “Check your volt gauge, Paul.’’

Menard: “13.5. Why?’’

Reeves: “Clear by two, 24 and 29 are racing each other hard right now.’’

Menard: “Stevie talk to me.’’

Reeves: “29 is leading by three-tenths (of a second) right now. We’re good right now.’’

Reeves: “24 is the leader, clear by three to the 2 (Brad Keselowski). 22 laps to go right now. 24 leading.

RCR executive Mike Dillon: “Slugger can you go to channel 2?’’

A few laps later, Menard radios about his bad right rear tire and later spins.

 

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