Solid Run by Biffle, No. 37 Cub Cadet Ford Halted by Engine Issues in Atlanta

Hampton, GA (March 19, 2007) – After changes forced the No. 37 Cub Cadet Ford Fusion to the back of the pack for the start of the Nicorette 300, driver Greg Biffle had the Brewco Motorsports machine charging into the top-20 even before the first quarter of the race was in the books. However engine issues surfaced by lap 64, and the team had to end the day early, halting Biffle’s strong run at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Biffle worked with Crew Chief Newt Moore and the Brewco crew during the weekend’s lone practice session Friday to make adjustments to the car. With a qualifying position deep in the field of 39th place Saturday morning, Moore took the opportunity to change the No. 37 Cub Cadet Ford’s air filter, which forced the Brewco entry a few spots closer to the rear of the field in 42nd place. The poor qualifying position didn’t seem to hinder Biffle however, and by lap nine of the race, he had already moved up 10 positions to 33rd place.

Biffle reported early on to Moore that the No. 37 Cub Cadet Ford was a little loose, and the team’s first opportunity to pit and work on the car came on lap 37. Biffle came into the pits in 27th place for four tires, fuel, and trackbar and wedge adjustments. The Brewco crew picked up four positions with a lightning-fast pit stop, putting the No. 37 Cub Cadet Ford back out on the track in the 23rd spot.

On lap 51, Biffle told Moore that the car was still a bit too loose. Moore told his driver that the Brewco crew would continue to work on the No. 37 Cub Cadet Ford during the next pit stop. But just a few laps later, Biffle came over the radio and told the Cub Cadet team that the loose conditions were the least of their concerns and that the motor was “blowing up.”

Biffle did his best to stay out on the track, but by lap 64 in the 21st position, it was apparent that the motor issues were getting worse and he took the No. 37 Cub Cadet Ford back to the garage. Biffle, Moore and the Brewco crew met up with representatives from Roush/Yates to diagnose the engine problems. A series of tests showed that faulty spark plugs were to blame for the motor issues. Brewco’s No. 37 Cub Cadet Ford finished the race in 40th place.

“It was unbelievable,” said Biffle. “What a terrible way to end the day. We were really making a charge toward the front too. I’ve had so many great runs with Newt and the Brewco guys, I was really looking forward to putting the Cub Cadet Ford in Victory Lane Saturday. It looks like I’ll just have to wait a week for that and show them what we can do in Bristol.”

“We’ve had a challenging start to 2007, but I know we can rebound from this,” said Moore. “Greg’s back with us next week in Bristol where he’s really strong. Our guys are really stepping it up in the pits. We just need to regroup, and remember that with 36 races in the season, we have a lot of racing left to do. I have a ton of confidence in our guys on the road and back at the shop. I know we’ll turn things around and get back to our winning ways, starting this weekend in Bristol.”

Next for the No. 37 Cub Cadet Ford will be the Sharpie Mini 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday March 24. Biffle will once again be behind the wheel of the Brewco Motorsports entry. Television coverage of the race begins at 2:30 pm EST on ABC.