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Late Race Caution Spoils Biffle's Run

 

BROOKLYN, MI (Aug. 20) - Greg Biffle, driver of the #66 Duraflame Ford, started ninth and finished second in the Domino's Pizza 250 at Michigan International Speedway.  Despite leading an impressive 44 laps, the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series champion could not hold off a hard charging Ryan Newman late in the race.  As a result of the finish, Team Brewco #66 gained two spots in NBS owners' standings, moving from ninth to seventh.  Biffle, who has competed in 18 of 25 series events this season, moved from 15^th to 13^th in drivers' standings.

 

With qualifying cancelled due to inclement weather, the starting lineup for Saturday's 125 lap race would be determined by owners' standings.  Unloading a car that has yet to finish outside of the top-five this season, Greg Biffle and his Brewco Motorsports teammates were poised to capture their second win of the season.  "This car has led a lot of laps this season- but has yet to find victory lane.  We got it just were we wanted it in practice yesterday, so hopefully we can seal the deal this weekend.  I'm not too worried about our starting position, we'll be leading in no time," Biffle added after Busch Pole qualifying was cancelled. 

 

After a slight delay due to showers, 43 competitors took the green flag shortly after 3:00pm.  Within 20 laps, Greg Biffle sliced and diced his way into the top-five.  When asked how his car was handling, Biffle radioed, "I'm just a tick free in clean air, but this thing is hauling the mail."  During a long green flag run, Biffle worked his way to third place before pitting on lap 38.  With four fresh tires and a freed up racecar, Biffle would return to racing action in sixth place.  It didn't take long for Biffle to work his way to the front of the field.  After several laps trailing Clint Bowyer, Biffle finally made the pass on lap 66.

 

Waiting as long as he could for the caution flag to fall, Biffle ultimately had to head to pit road under green flag conditions.  Despite the added pressure, Team Brewco #66 came through when it counted.  After changing four tires, the young crew sent their driver back on his way in first place.  "Awesome job- unbelievable.  Under green, right when it counted you guys came through- that's the way to do it," Biffle radioed after holding onto the lead during a green flag pit stop.

 

With 35 laps remaining, it appeared as though Biffle was going to run away with the win.  Quickly amassing a five second lead on second place, Biffle crossed his fingers that the race would go caution-free to the end.  Unfortunately, Biffle would not get his wish as the caution flag fell on lap 109.  To pit or not to pit, that can be a hard question when you are the race leader.  With only 15 cars on the lead lap, Biffle made the call to pit one final time.  After taking on four tires, Biffle returned to the race in third place as two cars elected to stay out.  While it didn't take long to regain the lead, Biffle became increasingly concerned of Ryan Newman who was quickly gaining on him.  The turning point of the race came on lap 114, when the caution flag fell for the final time.  With the caution erasing his lead over the #39 car, Biffle knew he was a sitting duck with only a handful of laps remaining.  As the green flag fell, Biffle did all he could to hold off a hard charging Newman.  Unfortunately, time ran out as Newman quickly made the pass and took off in clean air.  Biffle would cross the finish line in second place.

 

"That's pretty disappointing- to lead that many laps and give it up late in the race is a little heartbreaking.  Our pit stops were awesome today- these guys having been working their tails off, practicing, and it showed today.  We did everything right- had the track position, had a good car on long runs, but that final caution killed us.  Ryan (Newman) was so much better on restarts- there wasn't much I could do.  I was flat foot the final two laps, but clean air is so important here we weren't going to get to him that quickly," Biffle added after finishing second.

 

Next up, Team Brewco #66 heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Food City 250 on Friday, August 26^th.  TNT and PRN will provide live coverage of the event beginning at 7:30pm ET.