Greg Biffle has had a very tough start to the NASCAR Nextel Cup season. He's probably led more laps than anyone but engine failures and wrecks have put him at the back of the pack. His fourth place finish at Richmond last week was his first top ten this season. Could he keep up the momentum at Saturday's Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington, SC? Biffle started in the front row with Kasey Kahne on the pole.
The main issue at Darlington is tire wear. Some guys are going to be strong on long runs and some guys will be good on short runs. It wouldn't be long before Greg Biffle-#16 National Guard Ford would lead at lap 36. He's led in every race. Matt Kenseth-#17 DeWalt Ford took the lead at lap 127 and Biffle faded to fifth. Then Jimmie Johnson-#48 Lowe's Chevy took the lead at lap 192. After pit stops, Biffle retook the lead at lap 264 but Johnson, Jeff Gordon-#24 Dupont Chevy & Kenseth passed Biffle on lap 301. He needed new tires.
Green flag pit stops began when Biffle came in on lap 312. New tires give such an advantage that the leaders would have to pit very soon. They all did but Jimmie Johnson had trouble when while coming out of his pit he almost collided with Ken Schrader-#21 Air Force Ford going into his pit. This cost Johnson the race and gave Biffle the lead. Johnson finished fourth. Jeff Gordon was closing fast on Biffle. Could he hold him off? On the final lap Biffle lapped Schrader but it looked like Schrader didn't give Gordon enough room to pass him in a timely manner. Greg Biffle wins the Dodge Charger 500.
Congratulations to Greg Biffle, crew chief Doug Richert and car owner Jack Roush for the win. Biffle moved up six spots to 14th in the points standings. There's no question he can still make the chase. Jimmie Johnson still leads the points. Big top ten finish for Ryan Newman who has had a rough start to the season and another top ten for rookie Denny Hamlin. Here's the top ten.
#/Driver/Sponsor/Make/Owner
1.16/Greg Biffle/National Guard/Ford/Jack Roush
2.24/Jeff Gordon/Dupont/Chevy/Rick Hendrick
3.17/Matt Kenseth/DeWalt Tools/Ford/Jack Roush
4.48/Jimmie Johnson/Lowe's/Chevy/Rick Hendrick
5.8/Dale Earnhardt Jr./Budweiser/Chevy/Dale Earnhardt Inc.
6.12/Ryan Newman/Alltel/Dodge/Roger Penske
7.5/Kyle Busch/Carquest Auto Parts/Chevy/Rick Hendrick
8.6/Mark Martin/AAA/Ford/Jack Roush
9.31/Jeff Burton/Cingular/Chevy/Richard Childress
10.11/Denny Hamlin/FedEx/Chevy/Joe Gibbs
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