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Questionable Pit Road Penalty Proves Costly for Biffle

 

LOUDON, NH (July 16)- A questionable pit-road penalty early in Saturday's New England 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway, was the beginning of the end for Greg Biffle and his Brewco Motorsports, Inc. teammates.  Biffle, driver of the #66 Duraflame Quick Coals Ford, started 12^th and finished 31^st in the caution-filled NASCAR Busch Series event.  As a result of the finish, Team Brewco #66 fell from seventh to eighth in NBS owner's standings.  Biffle, who has competed in 16 of 20 events this season, fell from ninth to tenth in driver's standings.

 

Unloading a car that visited victory lane at Phoenix International Raceway earlier this year, Team Brewco expected similar results as they made their annual stop in New Hampshire.  Needless to say, they were a little confused and concerned as Friday's first practice session produced less than stellar results.  Never a group to give up, Team Brewco #66, under the guidance of crew chief Newt Moore, put their heads together and changed anything and everything on the car prior to Saturday's 200-mile event.  "So far this weekend has been a bit of a mystery to us.  This car has run really well all season, so we are a bit surprised that it's handling this way here.  We need to find some more rear grip, because right now we are in trouble," Moore added after Friday's practice session.

 

Looking back at his notes from previous years, Newt Moore made an educated guess on what changes to make.  As usual, he hit the nail on the head.  Not anticipating much success in Busch Pole qualifying, Biffle was pleased with his 12^th place starting spot.  "I left a bunch on the table that lap.  I had no idea what the car was going to do.  All I had to go on was practice yesterday.  As soon as I took the checkered flag I was kicking myself, because this is definitely a top-five car," he added after Saturday morning's time trials.

 

Content with their 12^th place starting position, Team Brewco set their sights on the afternoon's New England 200.  At the drop of the green flag, Greg Biffle wasted little time working his way to the front of the field.  By lap 23, he had worked his way to eighth place.  When asked how his car was handling he radioed, "I'm not sure what the problem is.  I'm really loose.  I've got no rear grip."  Not overly concerned, crew chief Moore consistently reminded his driver that their lap times were as strong as the leaders.  As the race went green and tires pressure built up, Biffle finally found the comfort level he was looking for.

 

The turning point of the race occurred on lap fifty-one.  Filing in behind the rest of the lead lap cars, Biffle made his way to pit stall twenty-eight.  With an opening in the wall behind him, Biffle stopped short to secure an easy exit.  As soon as he stopped and the car was jacked up on the right side, NASCAR signaled to the team that the rear tires were touching the line- an infraction that is subject to a one-lap penalty per NASCAR rules.  Despite their best efforts to convince the official that he was mistaken, Biffle ultimately had to restart the race in 35^th place, one lap down.

 

"Nine times out of ten, the NASCAR official will signal the team of an infraction before the car is jacked up allowing you to move forward.  In this case, we are talking about a fraction of an inch- one way or another, on the line or not.  From where I was sitting we were not touching the line, but it doesn't do any good to argue," a frustrated Moore added.

 

Down but not out, Biffle fought to earn the "lucky dog" and return to the lead lap.  On lap 83, the caution flag fell and Biffle earned the free pass.  After a fuel only stop, the 2002 NBS champion returned to the race in 31^st place.  Poised to make a charge towards the front of the field, Biffle found himself battling slower cars for track position at the one groove racetrack.  Patiently working his way through traffic, Biffle raced his way to 25^th place on lap 97.  On lap 100, Biffle lost control of the #66 Duraflame Ford, as Jeff Green turned down on him in the middle of turn two.  Backing the car hard into the wall, Biffle was left with little choice but to head to pit road for repairs.  Biffle returned to the race in 28^th place.

 

Determined to salvage the day in the best way possible, Biffle set his sights on a solid top-20 finish.  Unfortunately, the racing Gods would have a different plan.  While running in 19th place, Biffle radioed, "I think I'm out of gas.  The fuel cell must have been knocked around in the wreck.  It's not picking up the last bit of fuel."  Frustrated with the days' events, Biffle headed to pit road for a final fuel stop, only to be penalized by NASCAR for speeding.  With only a handful of laps remaining, and a damaged racecar, the decision was made to head to the garage.  Biffle would finish the event in 31^st place.

 

"Today was just one of those days you want to forget.  Overall, it was a pretty sloppy race.  There were a lot of impatient drivers out there.  You've got to give and take at a track like this, and today there was a lot more taking," Biffle commented.

 

Next up, Team Brewco #66 heads to Pikes Peak International Raceway for the Salute to the Troops 250 on Saturday, July 23^rd.  Aaron Fike will return to the driver's seat of the #66 Duraflame Ford.  TNT and MRN will provide live coverage of the event beginning at 3:30pm ET.