Click Here

Slow Pit Stop Costs Biffle the Win, Records Seventh Runner-Up Finish of Season

 

FORT WORTH, TX (Nov. 5, 2005) - Greg Biffle, driver of the #66 Duraflame Ford, started 5^th and finished 2^nd in the O'Reilly 300 at Texas Motor Speedway.  Biffle, who has competed in 25 of 33 NASCAR Busch Series events this season, led three laps late in the race, but a slow pit stop ultimately cost the 2002 NBS champion a shot at his second win of the season.  As a result of the finish, Biffle moved from 12^th to 11^th in Busch Series drivers' standings.  Team Brewco #66 remains fifth in owners' points.

 

Unloading a car that finished second at Kansas Speedway after dominating much of the race, Team Brewco held high expectation upon entering Saturday's 200-lap event at Texas Motor Speedway.  "We've only raced this car one time this season, and obviously after its performance at Kansas we feel pretty good about it.  The other car we would have brought here was wrecked at Charlotte a few weeks ago.  Nevertheless, we should be in good shape," crew chief Newt Moore added. 

 

With only one practice scheduled for Friday morning, Team Brewco had more than their fair share of work cut out for them.  After struggling early in practice, Biffle and Moore finally found a set-up they felt comfortable with.  "We were bottoming out really bad in the corners.  Usually, when that happens it shoots you up the track and it's a big momentum killer.  Newt has done a good job getting this car up off of the track while still maintaining a solid balance.  I'm very pleased with this car," Biffle added prior to Busch Pole qualifying.

 

With the added help of a late qualifying draw, Biffle managed to secure a fifth place starting spot for Saturday's race.  "That lap was perfect- there's nothing we could have changed to be any better.  I think everyone pretty much expected Ryan (Newman) to win the pole.  Nevertheless, come race time, I think we have the car to beat," Biffle said after qualifying.

 

With time trials behind them, Team Brewco set their sights on Saturday's 200 lap race.  At the drop of the green flag, Biffle wasted little time moving towards the front of the field.  On lap six, he charged past Kevin Harvick to take over second place.  When asked how his car was handling, Biffle radioed, "I'm just a tick tight, but overall really good." Within a few laps, Biffle was passed by Kasey Kahne, but settled in comfortably behind him.

 

As the caution flag fell on lap 16, Biffle and the rest of the field headed to pit road for their first stop of the day.  After taking on four tires and a minor chassis adjustment, Biffle returned to racing action in 4^th place.  The loss in track position did not prove to be much of a challenge for Biffle as he moved back into second place on lap 80. 

 

Team Brewco made their second stop of the day on lap 84.  In what was to be their quickest stop of the day, Biffle returned to the race in second place after taking on four tires and a round of wedge in the right rear.  22 laps later, Biffle and the rest of the field, minus race leader Ryan Newman, headed to pit road for a third pit stop.  With the entire field pitting, Newman became somewhat of a sitting duck.

 

As the race ticked away, Newman was forced to pit under green on lap 161.  With Newman a lap down to the field, Team Brewco kept their fingers crossed in hopes of a caution.  A lap after Biffle passed Kahne for first place; Kahne blew a tire and brought out the caution.  With the two biggest threats to win the race out of contention, Biffle was poised to capture his second win of the season.  Unfortunately, the turning point of the race came a few laps later. 

 

A slow pit stop on lap 167 cost Biffle two positions.  Despite his best efforts, Biffle was unable to get past eventual race winner Kevin Harvick.  Biffle would have to settle for a second place finish, his seventh of the season.

 

"It was unfortunate, we had a bad pit stop there at the end and it cost us, maybe the win. We came in with about a 10-carlength lead on pit road and went out third. That was a pretty tough deal there for us. Overall, it was a great day. I didn't have the fastest car, by all means, and felt like maybe we had the third-fastest car. Kasey was a little better than us and Ryan, and Kevin jumped up there with a great pit stop and got out in clean air and did a good job. His car was really fast out front, and he did what he needed to do. Overall, it was a good day for the Duraflame car. I'm kind of happy to see Kevin win out here. He lost his father-in-law this week, so it was a big week for him and a big weekend, and I hope that will ease pain a little bit, wining the race," Biffle added after his runner-up finish.

 

Next up, Team Brewco #66 heads to Phoenix International Raceway for the Phoenix 200 on Saturday, November 12^th.  TNT and MRN will provide live coverage of the event beginning at 3:30 pm EDT.