ENGINE ISSUE LEAVES BIFFLE WITH 23RD-PLACE FINISH IN ALL-STAR RACE
May 21, 2012
CONCORD, N.C. (May 19, 2012) – Greg Biffle and his team, the 3M Pit Bulls gave an All-Star effort this weekend to honor the All-Star American Red Cross blood donor who were featured on the car. Biffle was second in practice and with the help of a solid pit stop by the pit crew, turned in a fourth-place qualifying effort. Once the race began they continued to work diligently with adjustments on the car but nothing seemed to help with the lack of grip that Biffle reported. Shortly after teammate Carl Edwards went to the garage with an engine failure, Biffle radioed the team to inform them that he too felt that there was something wrong with his engine. On lap 68, Biffle’s feeling was confirmed and his night ended early. He was credited with a 23rd-place finish.
Every team gives it their all during the Sprint All-Star weekend. The No. 16 team started on Tuesday with an American Red Cross blood drive at Roush Fenway Racing. Biffle was the first in line to donate followed closely by Speed Channel host and frequent donor John Roberts. Roberts’ name was one of the many All-Star Donor names featured on the TV panel of the No. 16 American Red Cross Ford this weekend.
On Friday Biffle took the track and was second-fastest in practice. He and the team turned in a respectable fourth-place qualifying effort that night and began final preparations for the race. Shortly after the drop of the green flag on Saturday night, however, Biffle reported that the car was just too loose.
The team made several adjustments following the first segment which seemed to help a little. Biffle was running 13th at the end of the second segment but stayed out to gain track position. He restarted fifth for the third segment and was running eighth when the next yellow came out. Crew chief Matt Puccia called Biffle to the pits for four tires, fuel and a minor adjustment. Biffle restarted eighth but only eight laps later confirmed that there was a problem with the engine.
After escaping the car quickly due to a fire that resulted from the engine issue, Biffle made a quick trip to the infield care center where he was evaluated and released. He was credited with a 23rd-place finish.
Next up, the Sprint Cup Series will stay in Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 next Sunday, May 27th.
NEXT UP:
Coca-Cola 600
1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway
Concord, N.C.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
