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November 8, 2007

Menards Saved More Money at Nashville
By Dennis Michelsen
NASCAR fans are more brand aware than your average consumer. Many fans will buy the NASCAR related brand over another even if the price is higher and I am no different. Most of the home improvement store industry is involved in NASCAR's highest level of racing. I had been a regular at Menards for my home improvement needs but I am so irritated I think I will visit Home Depot for a while. This has nothing to do with Paul Menard letting me down in fantasy racing it is all about a company not keeping its word!

Honor Your Commitments
The first and maybe the most important lesson I was taught by my Dad was to honor commitments that you made to people. If you said you were going to be someplace to help a friend with a project you better show up! Maybe in this day and age that is no longer expected. But I still live by that simple philosophy and there has to be a real good reason if I fail to live up to a commitment I made! Apparently that lesson is not one that John Menard cares about…let me explain.

Going to Nashville
Two drivers were hired to go down to Nashville to compete for a possible job as driver for the Menards' team in the ASA Late Model Series next season. Charlie Menard has competed in the ASA Late Model Series the past few seasons and has indicated that he might slow down his racing schedule but wants the team to continue. Jessie Saunders and Derek Thorn, two young drivers with the talent and poise to represent the Menards' team, were given an opportunity to drive for Menards down in Nashville for the season ending event. But suddenly John Menard shut down the race team for reasons that are still unknown. Both drivers had spent money and made travel plans that were now worthless! Several team members in the race shop were also out of work instantly. So much for standing by your commitments and promises!

Save Big Money
Both drivers involved in this debacle knew that plans for next season were not etched in stone, but they both believed Charlie Menard when he promised them a ride down in Nashville! Winning the All American 200 at the Music City Motorplex gets a driver a lot of attention in the press and could help them move up to the next level of racing. John Menard snuffed out that dream and cost both drivers money. Save big money at Menards? Not for this race fan! I am fuming over John Menard's little tantrum of closing down the team before Nashville, so I am taking my hard money elsewhere for a while until I cool down!