Former RCR driver Paul Menard once revealed having a “really bad temper”

During an interview with SB Nation back in 2011, Paul Menard was asked if he liked hitting people, given that he used to play football during his younger days. A native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Menard is a regular face in the Trans Am Series, driving the No. 3 Ford Mustang for 3GT Racing.

Menard, who won the 2024 and the 2025 Trans-Am Series championships, spoke about his temper on and off the track and how it has evolved over the years.

“How different is your personality inside the car and outside it?”

“Probably pretty similar,” Paul Menard replied. “I’m a pretty calm guy, inside and outside. I go about my daily affairs kind of the same way I go about driving the race car.”

“When I was young, I had a really bad temper. Probably 10, 15 years ago I learned to kind of control that. So that’s probably the calm nature I have now,” he added.

From 2007 to 2019, Menard competed full time in the NASCAR Cup Series with several teams like Dale Earnhardt Inc., Yates Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, and Wood Brothers Racing.

Paul Menard retired from full-time competition in 2019. He also ran a part-time Xfinity schedule with Andy Petree Racing and two full-time schedules with Dale Earnhardt Inc. (2005-2006) and Roush Fenway Racing (2010). Although Menard won just one race at the Cup level, i.e., the 2011 Brickyard 400, he bagged three victories in the Xfinity Series throughout his racing career.

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When Paul Menard revealed the real reason behind his NASCAR retirement

Paul Menard announced his retirement just ahead of the completion of the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season. Many had urged him to keep running a part-time schedule in Cup, but Menard knew it was over for good.

In a statement, Menard explained that he wanted to spend more time with his family and loved ones.

“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," the former NASCAR driver 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," he added.

After a short hiatus, Menard returned to NASCAR racing, although on a part-time basis. He competed during the 2021 season under the banner of ThorSport Racing and earned a pair of top-10s. His plans for the 2026 season are yet to be revealed.