When drivers discuss the contenders for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship, not many mention Greg Biffle. And that’s OK with him.
“That’s good,” said Biffle, a native of Vancouver, Wash. “We’ll just do the best we can and we’ll see what happens when we get (to the Chase).”
Biffle, who is just one point behind points leader Jimmie Johnson, said it’s not a sign of disrespect among his fellow drivers.
“It just keeps people from asking me questions,” he said. “Go talk to them about it. It keeps the pressure off of me. We don’t like pressure.”
The Roush Fenway driver has been out of the spotlight this season despite compiling impressive results, including one win, nine top-five finishes and 13 top-10 finishes.
Biffle is optimistic he can bolster those statistics today at Michigan International Speedway, a track where he has had a number of recent miscues, such as running out of fuel twice and a botched pit stop.
“That was the old 16 team,” he said. “Now we don’t make those kinds of mistakes anymore. We’re definitely due. We’ll see (today).”
Biffle qualified 13th for the Pure Michigan 400 in Brooklyn, Mich.
Enumclaw’s Kasey Kahne, who is 11th in the points standings, will start fifth.
ALLGAIER SNAGS NATIONWIDE WIN
Justin Allgaier passed Jacques Villeneuve on the final lap during a green-white-checkered finish and won the NASCAR Nationwide race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.
Villeneuve, who started third on the track named in honor of his late father, survived three late restarts in a wild race that went six extra laps and saw Danica Patrick lead 20 laps. But Villeneuve, who had been saving fuel, seemed to slow briefly on the final one, and Allgaier bumped him and slid past for his second win of the season and third of his career.
“It’s tough when you have a driver who has his last name on the race track,” Allgaier said. “Obviously, this is a big race for him and a big venue.”
Sam Hornish Jr. finished second and Villeneuve was third, giving Dodge two in the top three. Elliott Sadler and Ron Fellows rounded out the top five.
PIT STOPS
Tony Schumacher raced to the No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn. Jack Beckman topped the Funny Car field, Erica Enders took the No. 1 spot in Pro Stock, and Hector Arana Sr. qualified first in Motorcycle. … Nelson Piquet Jr. won the NASCAR Trucks Series race in Brooklyn, Mich., stretching fuel to the end to beat Jason White by a comfortable margin. It’s the first Truck victory for Piquet in 42 career starts. Dakoda Armstrong was third.
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