Former NASCAR veteran Paul Menard won his second consecutive Trans Am Series championship on Nov. 2, six years after retiring from the Cup Series.
Menard, 45, is now a two-time TA Champion, having won in 2024 and 2025, following his return to the motorsports scene. The former NASCAR star competed full-time in the Cup Series from 2007 to 2019, earning one win in 471 races.
The veteran competed for Dale Earnhardt Inc. during his Cup Series career, a team that has since folded following a disagreement between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Teresa Earnhardt. Menard later raced for Yates Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, and Wood Brothers Racing before retiring.
After dedicating his life to NASCAR, Menard retired to spend more time with his family. Following a brief hiatus, Menard returned to the NASCAR Truck Series in 2021, competing part-time for ThorSport Racing and earning two top-10 finishes.
Menard once again stepped away from motorsports, but later decided to join the Trans Am Series, a sports car racing series. He is now a two-time champion, but his status for 2026 is unknown.
The former NASCAR star was a popular driver in the Cup Series, but has remained extremely private since stepping out of the spotlight. Menard famously has no social media platforms, claiming: “It is nothing good and there’s so much more to life than looking at other people’s lives behind a screen.”
News of his championship win was celebrated by NASCAR fans, with some even suggesting he should return to the premium series on a part-time basis. However, Menard made it clear in 2019 that his NASCAR career was over.
“I’ve enjoyed every moment of my career racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, and I’m so thankful for all the great memories and friendships I’ve made through this sport,” he said. “But I’m looking forward to spending more time at home with my wife Jennifer and our two young children while moving forward with the next chapter of my life.
“I want to thank everyone at Wood Brothers Racing, along with Team Penske, and our partners at Menards, Motorcraft, Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers, and Ford. It’s been a privilege to work with them and some of the true legends of our sport, including Andy Petree, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Robert Yates, Richard Petty, Richard Childress, Roger Penske, and Glen and Leonard Wood.
“I’m excited for what the future holds. I’m looking forward to sharing the plans for 2020 and beyond in the coming weeks.”
After announcing his exit, WBR co-owner Eddie Wood said, “We want to thank Paul Menard for his dedication to the team over the last two seasons. We’re looking forward to a strong finish to 2019, and we wish him nothing but the best for the future.”