Plans Announced for 2018 - Team Penske and Wood Brothers Racing

MOORESVILLE, NC - RIS - Things have been busy at Team Penske this week.  Earlier in the week. Team Penske announced Brad Keselowski's contract extension in the No. 2 Ford, and today the organization announced that they would field a third car for Ryan Blaney.  The Ford will carry the number 12. Blaney has long thought to be part of the Penske organization and just on loan to the Wood Brothers until they could create a new team.

As the dominoes began falling, Wood Brothers Racing announced that Blaney's replacement in the Nl. 21 Fusion would be Paul Menard.  Menard has been driving for Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series the last few years.  Menard will also bring his sponsor, Menard's, over to the Wood Brothers Racing team.

The full press releases from Ford are below:

FORD PERFORMANCE COMMENT ON RYAN BLANEY TO PENSKE THIRD CAR:

DAVE PERICAK, Global Director, Ford Performance

"Ryan has certainly earned this opportunity with Team Penske.  We knew all along that his time with the Wood Brothers was dependent on adding another car at Team Penske, but what he has accomplished with the Wood Brothers is impressive and he has played a key role in returning the 21 car to victory lane.  Right now, we're all committed to getting the Wood Brothers their 100th win and a season championship this year."

FORD PERFORMANCE COMMENT ON PAUL MENARD TO WOOD BROTHERS 21 FORD:

DAVE PERICAK, Global Director, Ford Performance

"We're excited to welcome Paul back into the Ford fold, and look forward to having him a part of the Wood Brothers team.  He's a veteran driver and will fit in very well with the Wood Brothers and their program.  The additional support from Menard's helps solidifies their full-time status, and we are confident that the great progress the Wood Brothers have made the last two seasons will continue."

Ron Fleshman

RIS NASCAR Editor.  Has been with RIS since the middle 90's. Writes on each of the three main series of NASCAR.

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Volume 2017, Issue 7, Posted 12:45 PM, 07.26.2017