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Biffle & Brewco Finish Second... Again

 

FONTANA, CA (Sept. 3, 2005) - For the third time in as many weeks, Greg Biffle would have to settle for a runner-up finish after dominating much of the race.  Biffle, driver of the #66 Duraflame Ford, started 13^th and finished second in the Ameriquest 300 at California Speedway, while leading a race-high 59 laps.  The finish marked the 2002 Busch Series champion's fifth second place finish of the season, his third in the last three weeks.  Team Brewco #66 remains sixth in series' owners' standings, while Biffle moves from 13^th to 12^th in NBS drivers' standings.

 

Unloading a car that has a four top-fives and five top-tens in five starts this season, Team Brewco #66 held high expectations upon entering this weekend's 300-mile race at California Speedway.  Having swept both Busch Series events at the 2.0-mile track in 2004, it's clear that driver Greg Biffle knows his way around the Southern California facility.  "This track is a lot like Michigan Speedway.  There are high speeds, multiple grooves, and a lot of side-by-side racing.  For whatever reason, that seems to play into my hands really well," Biffle added.

 

After a successful practice session, which saw Biffle post the second-fastest lap of the day, Team Brewco set their sights on Saturday morning's qualifying session.  With a fast sled underneath him, Biffle felt confident he could capture his first Busch Pole award of the season.  Unfortunately, he would have to settle for a 13^th place starting spot.  "I'm okay with that.  This car is good enough to lead laps.  I had trouble keeping it on the bottom in turns one and two.  On a long run, this car will come in and we'll be right were we need to be," Biffle added after qualifying.

 

With the race set to start at 5:30pm, many teams were concerned with the changing track conditions as the race progressed.  "It's definitely a challenge to keep up with the track.  We start the race late in the afternoon and finish under the lights.  There's no doubt some teams will struggle with the change in track temperature.  We are going to do our best to adjust on the car before the changes happen so we don't get behind," crew chief Newt Moore added.

 

At the drop of the green flag, it was clear that Biffle would be a contender within no time.  By lap three, he had worked his way comfortably inside the top-ten.  When asked how his car was handling he radioed, "It's bouncing around so much it feels like we have a bad shock."  Despite the handling problem, Biffle continued to knock off lap times comparable to those of race leader Clint Bowyer.  As the caution flag fell on lap ten, much of the field headed to pit road for their first stop of the day.  Crew chief Moore made the call to stay out and gain valuable track position.  Biffle would restart the race in first place on lap 19.

 

While complaining of a tight-condition, Biffle managed to hold off a hard charging Clint Bowyer until the caution flag fell a second time on lap 37.  Finally getting an opportunity to adjust on the #66 Duraflame Ford, the decision was made to head to pit road on lap 39.  After four tires and a minor chassis adjustment, Biffle returned to racing action in 13^th place.  It didn't take long for the 2002 NBS champion to work his way back through the field.  Slicing and dicing his way to the front, Biffle consistently posted the fastest lap times on the track.  By lap 71, he regained the lead from Reed Sorenson and quickly built a five second lead over second place.  After a second pit stop, this time under green flag conditions, Biffle's lead increased to almost 20 seconds.  While it looked like Biffle was going to ride off into the sunset, literally, the caution flag fell on lap 110, regrouping the field for a forty lap shootout. 

 

With fresh rubber sitting in the pits, the call was made to head to pit road for one final stop.  Biffle would restart the race in seventh place as a handful of cars elected to stay out.  As the race restarted, Biffle struggled with lapped traffic and a chaotic restart.  It was during this time that eventual race leader, Carl Edwards, got by Biffle and never looked back.  Despite his best efforts, Biffle would not be able to catch Edwards, who was running the fastest lap times of the evening.  Biffle would cross the finish line in second place.

 

"I'm getting pretty tired of second place finishes.  We definitely had the fastest car on long runs, but the race just didn't play out the way we needed it to.  It's pretty hard to have a 20 second lead and finish second.  These guys deserve to win so badly, and to have five second place finishes is pretty disheartening.  We have a lot to be proud of- believe me our day will come," Biffle added.

 

Next up, Team Brewco #66 heads to Richmond International Raceway for the Emerson Radio 250 on Friday, September 9^th.  TNT and MRN will provide live coverage of the event beginning at 7:30pm ET.