Biffle Overcomes Early Spin, Late Penalty for Strong Finish in Kentucky

 Cub Cadet Ford Finishes 7th

 

 

Date:                June 17, 2006

Event:               Meijer 300

Location:           Kentucky Speedway

Start:                30th

Finish:              7th  

Sparta, KY (June 19, 2006) – Persistence proved key for Greg Biffle and the Cub Cadet racing team this weekend during the Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway.  The Brewco Motorsports crew overcame damage from a lap one caution, getting caught a lap down during green flag pit stops and a late race penalty to finish 7th for the second straight week. 

This weekend found Biffle pulling double duty in both the NEXTEL Cup race in Michigan and the Busch race in Kentucky, leaving Jason Keller to practice the Cub Cadet Ford for the second week in a row.  Newt Moore and his No. 66 team had the Cub Cadet Ford dialed in from the start.  Keller posted the 13th fastest time in first practice and the team was convinced they had the car to beat on Saturday.  Biffle qualified 30th after a loose lap but the team remained optimistic for the race.

Luck was not on the side of the No. 66 team as Biffle dove into the grass to avoid a spin on the first lap, causing front end damage.  After three trips down pit road for repairs, Biffle was back on the track in 33rd place.  Biffle was feeling the effects of the incident early in the race and reported that the Cub Cadet Ford was “all over the place.”  Adjustments during the first pit stop didn’t seem to help a frustrated Biffle.  The Cub Cadet Ford was 21st when the caution flew on lap 48.  Newt Moore decided to keep Biffle out to gain track position.  The gamble paid off as Biffle restarted 2nd and moved into the lead on lap 59.

Biffle was still in the lead when the time came for green flag pit stops.  The Cub Cadet Ford stopped for four tires and a track bar adjustment on lap 100.  The field had not cycled all the way through when the caution flew on lap 116, causing Biffle to be scored one lap down.  Biffle received the Lucky Dog pass on lap 134 and found himself in 13th and back in contention for the win.

The Cub Cadet Ford was up to 7th when Biffle reported that the car had gotten “way too tight.”  Biffle came down pit road in 6th on lap 182 but restarted 12th after receiving a penalty from NASCAR for passing the No. 99 car coming onto pit road. 

Biffle picked up five spots in the final 10 laps of the race to finish 7th for the team’s second consecutive top-10 finish. 

“We were going to win that race before the penalty,” said Biffle.  “The Cub Cadet Ford was so fast today.  The Brewco Motorsports guys worked really hard after that early incident and luckily there was no major damage.  I really thought we were going to win.  I hate to have a race decided by a questionable penalty but I guess that’s just how it goes.  I hate it for Newt Moore and all these guys.  I know they’ll get me a good Cub Cadet Ford for Martinsville and we’ll come back with another top finish.”