| | | | | |  | | CIA Stock Photo | Biffle currently sits 7th in the standings 145 points out of 13th the final cutoff spot for the NASCAR playoffs. | | | | NO BUMPS IN THE ROAD | Biffle hoping nothing bursts his bubble before Chase | |
| | David Allen / Racegear.com Staff Greg Biffle did just what he needed to do in the 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday. He ran strong. Biffle walked out of Michigan with a 4th place finish, jumping three spots in overall points from tenth position to seventh. Roush Fenway racing showed its Michigan dominance and placed four out of five team cars in the top 10. Biffle spent much of the afternoon riding shotgun to winner and teammate Carl Edwards.
After Michigan comes the fastest half-mile speedway on the circuit, Bristol Motor Speedway. Some drivers may shy away from being aggressive at Bristol due to its high banks and tight straightaways. However, Biffle has been one to relish the challenge and has the stats to back it up. He has, after all, finished in the top 10 in six of the past seven races.
While the next two races in the buildup to the Chase may be strong points for Biffle and company, Auto Club speedway in California does through a curveball into the mix. In 2005, Biffle finished second in both races at the two mile D-shaped oval, his most recent finish was 15th earlier in the season. The final race to the Chase, Richmond, has also been kind to Biffle over the years, but in his most recent outing Biffle was only able to manage a 14th place finish.
Biffle currently sits 7th in the standings 145 points out of 13th the final cutoff spot for the NASCAR playoffs. While Biffle’s strong runs in the past at the final tracks leading to the Chase may bring him confidence, the Roush Fenway driver understands that could change at any moment on the track.
“Well, I'm not cruising to the Chase right now,” he said. “We know that we're on the envelope of getting in. We're in that 7th through 13th class that's going to fight right down to Richmond unless one of us breaks out, gets a win, a couple top fives and locks ourselves in the next two races.”
Biffle isn’t the only driver on the track looking to grab or maintain one of the 12 lucky Chase spots. Biffle relies on his crew chief to keep him informed on the status of other Chase competitors.
“We do pay attention to where the other guys are at, but mostly under caution,” he said when asked whether he thinks about other drivers’ overall points positions while out on the track. “You know, when you're racing and you're thinking about the guy in front of you for position or the guy behind you.”
Anything can happen; every race and every position is a factor till the end.
| | Posted August 21, 2008 , 6:32 pm EST
Last Updated August 22, 2008 , 12:47 am EST | | | | | | | | | | |
