#16 Team Past News and Rumors
NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages
Past 2008 News
Races [19] that 3M is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Daytona 2/17
California 2/24
Las Vegas 3/2
Darlington 5/10
Dover 6/1
Sonoma 6/22
New Hampshire 6/29
Daytona 7/5
Chicago 7/12
Michigan 8/17
California 8/31
Richmond 9/6
Dover 9/21
Kansas 9/28 w/Sherwin WIlliams
Talladega 10/5
Charlotte 10/11
Texas 11/2
Phoenix 11/9 Red Cross
Homestead 11/16
Races [11] that DISH Network is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Texas 4/6
Richmond 5/3
All-Star Race 5/17
Charlotte 5/25
Michigan 6/15
Indy 7/27
Pocono 8/3 [Turbo HD]
Bristol 8/23 [Turbo HD]
New Hampshire 9/14
Martinsville 10/19
Atlanta 10/26
Races [3] that Jackson Hewitt is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 2008:
Atlanta 3/9
Bristol 3/16
Martinsville 3/30
Laid off Roush Fenway crewman sues team: A former Roush Fenway Racing fabricator and over-the-wall crew member is suing the team for money he alleges he is owed for being laid off prior to the completion of his three-year contract. Nick Bailey, signed a three-year deal in October 2006 to run through the 2009 season, according to the complaint and portions of his contract filed recently in North Carolina Superior Court in Charlotte. He initially worked in the Truck shop at Roush as well as on the pit crew for the No. 16 Nationwide team. He was then transferred to Roush’s ARCA team in April 2008. At the time he was laid off Nov. 10 , 2008, his base salary was $1,050 per week, according to the complaint. He also was eligible for bonuses depending on the performance of the team and the pit crew. Bailey is asking for $63,000 – his salary from Nov. 10, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2009 – and for whatever bonuses it is determined he deserves. Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith confirmed that Bailey had been laid off as part of a reduction in the company work force but declined further comment.(SceneDaily)(12-12-2008)
No major layoffs at Roush: Jack [ROush] said he would have to "displace" half a dozen employees involved with his test program as a result of NASCAR banning testing at its sanctioned tracks in 2009. But his core staff -- those involved with his Sprint Cup and Nationwide team operations at his race shop in Concord, N.C. -- "will remain intact," he said.(Detroit Free Press)(11-21-2008)
Roush: No plans to build test track: Back in the day, NASCAR team owner Jack Roush had contemplated building his own test track. On Saturday, the day after NASCAR had announced that it was banning all testing on the tracks it sanctions, Roush was asked if he had revived the idea. “I have neither the money nor the inclination to build a test track,” Roush said. Roush also said he has no intention of circumventing NASCAR’s ban. “If we could organize a situation where all the established teams could hold hands and resolve not to test outside of the NASCAR mandated or approved testing, not go to the skid pads, not go to Canada, not go to Pikes Peak or any of the places they are checking on,” he said, “I’d be happier with that than to skirt around.” Roush said, however, that if other teams started skirting, he would be forced to as well.(Kansas City Star)(11-20-2008)
Ford re-ups with Roush BUT no support for Trucks: Ford Racing has reinforced the importance of NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series to the manufacturer under tough economic times by reaching a five-year deal to remain with Roush Fenway Racing. BUT Ford will pull its financial support in the Craftsman Truck Series beginning next season. Team owner Jack Roush assured that Ford has not pulled support from the Cup program. "Ford has made us a commitment for five years going into the future that we feel is adequate to our needs for the support that comes from manufacturers," Roush said before Sunday's race at Martinsville Speedway. Roush has been with Ford since he got into NASCAR in 1988. His organization owns five of the eight Cup teams currently funded by the manufacturer and has an alliance with two more at Yates Racing. The single-car team [#21] of the Wood Brothers is the only other one that runs fulltime in NASCAR's premiere series, although Yates plans to expand to three teams [#28,#38 and Paul Menard] in 2009. The withdrawal of financial support in the Truck Series was purely an economical decision. It is the second big hit for that series, which lost Dodge support earlier this year. Unlike Dodge, Ford will continue to provide technical support and engineering. "We remain positive about the performance of our teams and their dedication to the company during these challenging times," said Brian Wolfe, the director of Ford Racing Technology.(ESPN.com)(10-19-2008)
Biffle could be first to win championship in all 3 series: #16-Greg Biffle thought about it back in 2000 when he won the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series championship. What if he could move on to the Busch (now Nationwide) Series and win that championship? And, what if, after winning the 2002 Nationwide title, he could move on to the Sprint Cup Series and win that championship? Biffle, third in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup by a scant 10 points going into the Camping World RV 400 at Kansas Speedway, has a chance to become the first driver in history to win the Triple Crown. Biffle, 38, came excruciatingly close to winning his third different NASCAR title in 2005 when he tied for second in the Chase, just 35 points behind champion Tony Stewart.(Kansas City Star)(9-28-2008)
Biffle wins at New Hampshire: #16-Greg Biffle won the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for his first win at the trafk, first of 2008, first in 33 races [Kansas 2007] and 13th of of his career. #48-Johnson finished 2nd, followed by #99-Edwards [new points leader[, #31-Burton, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #2-Busch, #1-Truec Jr., #20-Stewart, #11-Hamlin and #29-Harvick. Other chase drivers: #07-Bowyer finished 12th, #24-Gordon 14th, #18-Busch 34th and #17-Kenseth 40th. #96-Joey Logano finished 32nd in his first career Cup race, 3 laps down. There were 14 lead changes among 8 drivers and 8 cautions for 36 caution laps.
For race results, awards and more, see my New Hampshire Race Results Awards Page.
Points Standings and the Classic Points on my Drivers/Owners Points after New Hampshire page.(9-14-2008)
Sherwin-Williams to sponsor Biffle at Kansas: The Sherwin-Williams #16 Ford, driven by Greg Biffle, will race in the Camping World RV 400 at Kansas Speedway which will be held on Sunday, September 28. This opportunity has been made possible as a result of Sherwin-Williams partnership with 3M, Biffle's sponsor. During the months of September and October, Sherwin-Williams will be featuring a NASCAR Race Promotion in their stores on select 3M products. More info at performancedriven08.com.(PR), see an image of the scheme on my #16 Team Schemes page.(8-28-2008)
New Hire by Roush Fenway Racing: Fenway Sports Group (FSG), a premier sports marketing agency that specializes in representation, sponsorship sales, event marketing and strategic marketing consulting, announced it has appointed Brian Corcoran as Executive Vice President, Business Development & Motorsports. Corcoran will oversee day-to-day operations for FSG's NASCAR division which includes Roush Fenway Racing and Yates Racing. He is tasked with identifying and developing new sponsor and revenue opportunities for both teams. Corcoran comes to FSG after spending the last six years as Managing Director, Corporate Marketing for NASCAR. He was instrumental in securing Nextel Communications as the entitlement partner of the Nextel Cup Series and Nationwide Insurance as lead sponsor of NASCAR's secondary circuit which is often compared to Triple-A baseball. Corcoran also played key roles in securing new sponsors, including Enterprise, Office Depot, AMD, TISSOT, AutoZone and Domino's Pizza. In February 2007, FSG purchased 50 percent stake in Roush Racing, one of NASCAR's largest and most successful teams, to form Roush Fenway Racing (RFR). The team fields five cars in the Sprint Cup Series and currently has three drivers, Carl Edwards (2nd), Greg Biffle (7th) and Matt Kenseth (10th) in the Chase for the Cup and four drivers in the top 13 in Cup standings with David Ragan currently in 13th place. This merger marked the first time that owners of a professional franchise in one of the four major leagues have partnered with a NASCAR team. Through RFR, FSG also provides marketing and sponsorship services to Yates Racing.(PR)(8-25-2008)
Roush's Smith to retire? Roush Fenway Racing president Geoff Smith is putting plans in place to retire after the 2009 season.
"More than likely," Smith said before Sunday's race at Michigan International Speedway. "That's what we're building for. We've been systematically elevating the responsibilities of several key people, training and training." Smith runs the business and marketing side of Roush Fenway. He has been instrumental in putting together one of the top sponsorship programs in the garage.
He'll be 63 when his contract expires after next season. "I've done this for a lot of years," Smith said. "I owe my wife time together before we're dead."(ESPN.com)(8-18-2008)
Biffle-Roush close to a deal UPDATE 3 It's OFFICIAL..done: Roush-Fenway Racing is very close to signing driver #16-Greg Biffle to a new multi-year contract. “It looks like we’re down to the wire on it”; Biffle said following practice at Pocono. Biffle went onto say, “I suspect to have it wrapped up by Michigan I would think. You’ll see me in the 16 for a few years, that’s what it’s looking like. Roush has made a pretty strong offer…plus my cars are fast…all the things a guy wants…all the ingredients are there. I think that’s the decision I’m going to make."(PRN's Garage Pass)(6-6-2008)
UPDATE: #16-Greg Biffle expects to sign a three-year extension with Roush Fenway Racing by the end of next week. Biffle recently canceled a trip outside of the country for a Tuesday brake test. He plans to use the free time around that to iron out the few remaining details on the deal. "We've basically agreed on everything else," he said on Friday at Michigan International Raceway. "It's just a matter of finding time for everybody to sit down and finish this thing." Biffle added that 3M will remain his primary sponsor, denying reports that Crown Royal would move from Jamie McMurray's car to his.(ESPN.com)(6-13-2008)
UPDATE 2: Greg Biffle has reached an agreement on a three-year deal with Roush Fenway Racing. Biffle met with Roush Fenway officials this week to iron out final details. He said a formal announcement, including a new deal with 3M, could be unveiled next week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.(ESPN.com)(6-20-2008)
UPDATE 3: Greg Biffle announced today that he has signed a three-year extension of his contract with Roush Fenway Racing. Biffle has been with Roush Fenway Racing since 1998. During his 10 years at Roush Fenway Racing, Biffle has accumulated 46 wins, 166 top-five finishes and 250 top-10 finishes in 496 starts. Biffle is looking forward to the continued relationship with Roush Fenway Racing as well as a long-term partnership with 3M. “I’m extremely happy and relieved to have this contract complete,” said Biffle. “I have a team that can contend for the championship this season and for future seasons as well. 3M has been an incredible partner for several years now and having them on board made the decision even easier. All the elements are in place: the resources of Ford and Roush Fenway, the excellent team, the outstanding cars and having a great primary sponsor like 3M for the next few years.” In addition to Biffle’s Cup Series program, he is also running a partial schedule in the #16 CitiFinancial Ford Fusion in the Nationwide Series this season.
“I would like to run another partial schedule in the CitiFinancial Ford next season,” Biffle said. “We’re still working out the schedule but I have always had fun racing in the Nationwide Series so I’d say it’s likely you’ll see me there in 2009.”(Roush Racing)(6-27-2008)
Roush Fenway hopes to have drivers locked in soon for ’09: Roush Fenway Racing hopes to soon solidify its current driver lineup in the same positions for 2009, team president Geoff Smith said Sunday at Infineon Raceway. The first item would be locking in #16-Greg Biffle, who said Friday he expects to complete the deal this week. As far as #6-David Ragan, Smith also was optimistic. “We’re working through a final contract now with a sponsor, and unless Tony Stewart puts a wheel under us [in his sponsorship quest], it should be over very shortly,” Smith said. The team’s other three drivers – #99-Carl Edwards, #26-Jamie McMurray and #17-Matt Kenseth – are already signed for next season. Roush Fenway Racing can have five teams in 2009 but will have to cut down to four for the 2010 season.(SceneDaily.com)(6-23-2008)
Biffle to Be Honored by Long Island Animal Rescue Organization: #16-Greg Biffle and his wife Nicole will be honored for their life saving efforts on behalf of homeless animals at North Shore Animal League America’s Seventh Annual Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon. North Shore Animal League America’s 7th Annual Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon honors nine individuals and organizations who have helped to save lives and sustain the Animal League’s mission to rescue, nurture and adopt. The event will be held on Wednesday, June 11th, 12:00 to 3:00pm/et at the Garden City Hotel, 45 Seventh St., Garden City, NY. Along with the Biffles honorees are the Laura J. Niles Foundation, Dr. Laura Gay Senk of the LI Cat Project, animal rescuers Susan Ford and Kate Mizzoni, feline heroes Roxie and Molly, animal photographer Christopher Appoldt, New York Post, author and animal activist Jana Kohl, and Firstborn Multimedia. For additional information about North Shore Animal League America visit www.aninmal-league.org.(North Shore Animal League America PR)(6-10-2008)
Three Roush drivers hit milestones at Pocono: #16-Greg Biffle and #26-Jamie McMurray will make their 200th career Cup starts at Pocono. In support of McMurray’s 200th Sprint Cup start, the #26 IRWIN Industrial Tools Ford Fusion will carry a special “200” decal on the lower hood in this weekend’s Pocono 500. And #17-Matt Kenseth will start in his 300th straight Cup race.(6-4-2008)
McMurray out at Roush at end of 2008? #26-Jamie McMurray will be driving for another team next year, according to one report Sunday citing unidentified sources. McMurray finished 10th Sunday. However, McMurray denies the report.(Hamptonroads.com), hearing Crown Royal could stay with Roush Fenway Racing, teaming up with Greh Biffle [who is expected to re-sign with Roush] in 2009. No word if Roush Fenway Racing would field a fifth team in 2009 or drop down to the mandated max of four Cup teams, which will go in effect for the 2010 season.(6-2-2008)
Biffle expected to re-sign with Roush Fenway soon: Roush Fenway president Geoff Smith said Thursday that he believes #16-Greg Biffle will be re-signed in the next two weeks, assuming contract details get hammered out to the agreement of both sides. Smith said Thursday that Biffle's agent submitted a detailed contract on Tuesday after a several-month wait, and he feels confident a deal will be reached. "It's officially back in our hands, and we're working on a contract," Smith said. "I'm optimistic we're going to be able to get it done. If he works as hard on the contract as we are, we're looking at two weeks." If that's the case, an announcement could come during the race at Michigan International Speedway [6-15-2008], which is considered in the backyard of Roush Industries in Livonia, Mich. Biffle reiterated Thursday what he's been saying for weeks -- yes, he has talked to other team teams, and, yes, he would like to finish his career with Roush Fenway. He said he did not have the time until last week to work diligently with his agent on the contract.
"I've always said my heart has been with staying at Roush Fenway," Biffle said. "I wanted to take the first quarter of the season to see how the team has worked and base a small portion of my decision on that. I'm happy with the way our 16 team has performed. We've had issues, but every team has had issues. I've talked to a lot of other people and discussed their approach and their long-term goals, but I haven't negotiated with anybody else. I'm flattered by all the offers and by all the people interested, but ... this is truly where I want to be."(ESPN.com)(5-29-2008)
Drivers to Light 'Em Up During Inaugural Pennzoil Victory Challenge: An all-star lineup is set to do battle in the inaugural Pennzoil Victory Challenge Saturday evening, prior to the Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. #16-Greg Biffle, #07-Clint Bowyer, #18-Kyle Busch, #29-Kevin Harvick and #48-Jimmie Johnson-will prove who is best at
celebrating a victory. The competition will test the skill and style of each driver as they execute a smoky burnout; perform two spectacular donuts; and then continue the burnout as they drive into "Victory Lane." The winner will be determined by a combination of style points and elapsed time, and his designated charity will receive a $10,000 donation. The competition will take place at 6:15pm/et on the frontstretch of the 1.5-mile superspeedway and will be televised live during SPEED's pre-race coverage of the Sprint All-Star Race. Good seats, in various price ranges, are still available for Saturday' Sprint All-Star Race and tickets include the 3 Doors Down pre-race concert. Tickets start at $40 and may be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.(LMS)
AND The event is NASCAR's take on the NBA's Slam Dunk contest and Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby. Each participant will begin from a standing start and complete a drag-racing style tire burnout. Upon completion of the burnout, each driver will execute complete 360-degree donuts before racing to a designated Victory Lane marked on either side with traffic cones and into the "Finish Box," stopping the clock. A time penalty will be accessed for hitting lane marking cones or the end cone. The winner will be determined by the fastest time after penalties (if any) are accessed. Each driver will be in similarly prepared Richard Petty Driving Experience cars wrapped with Sprint All-Star Race decals.(RCR)(5-14-2008)
RESULTS:
#07-Clint Bowyer was first with contest winner Chad Simpson, did 2 donuts, drove thru, didn't stop in the box, took 23.971 seconds, plus the 5 sec penalty for a total of 28.8=971 seconds, then he added two more donuts at the end
#16-Greg Biffle was next with Tank from Austrailia in the car, did his donuts and stopped in the box, but supposedly didn't keep the tires spinning for 5 seconds and a total of 25.046 seconds
#48-Jimmie Johnson went out third with Quaker State contest winner Neil Liker [sp?] and kind of just did what hee wanted, just do donuts, then started hitting cones and blew out the rear tires, along with the 20 second penalty, had a total time of 69.017 seconds
#29-Kevin Harvick was next with Pennzoil contest winner, Kelly Bartik [from Fox in CHarlotte, did his two donuts, but they were long slow donuts and he got the car in the box in a time of 31.916 seconds, then put the nose of the car against the outside wall and blew out the rear tires.
Up last was crowd fave, #18-Kyle Busch with USA Today reporter Seth Livingstone, did a slow burnout, two slow donuts, then slow burn to the box in 40.550 seconds, then got out of the car and saluted the fans.
WINNER was Greg Biffle, winning the $10,000 which will go to the Greg Biffle Foundation.(5-17-2008)
Biffle intends to re-sign with Roush: #16-Greg Biffle said on Thursday he remains 100% committed to re-signing with Roush Fenway Racing. Biffle's commitment to signing a new deal was questioned after he criticized his team following Saturday night's race at Darlington Raceway. He had the fastest car the first half of the race, but fell back because of a loose wheel and then was sidelined when the timing belt broke. "That had nothing to do with my contract," he said before the All-Star Pit Crew Challenge at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena. "I was mad my stuff was broke." Biffle said negotiations are continuing and he hopes to finish a deal by mid-summer. "That is my focus," he said. "My focus hasn't changed."(ESPN.com)(5-16-2008)
No new contract talks for Biffle UPDATE: #16-Greg Biffle said he's not had any new contract talks with Roush Fenway Racing, citing a busy schedule that had him testing for two days this week at Lowe's Motor Speedway.(Ronaoke Times)(5-10-2008)
AND #16-Greg Biffle certainly didn't sound like a guy committed to Roush Fenway Racing when he blasted the faulty equipment that led to his last-place finish at Darlington Raceway. "All I want is equipment to drive that stays together," said Biffle, who started from the pole and led 95 laps Saturday night before loose wheels, a bad vibration and a broken timing belt ended his race early. It is really frustrating, but you know what, I've just come accustomed to expecting it because week after week it's something. Something breaks. Something falls off. I give it 110% as a driver all the time, and you just want your equipment to last and be able to win these races." Still, it was clear "The Biff" was sending a message with his biting remarks. Just what might that message be? Well, signing a contract extension with Roush might not be the slam dunk both sides have led everyone to believe. In fact, Biffle might finally be ready to test the free-agent market. Before Darlington, he seemed determined to stay at Roush. "My 100% intent is to work out an extension with Roush," Biffle said a week ago in Richmond. "I've sat back and thought about what else is out there. There are a lot of great teams and great opportunities out there ... but do you look at it as are they better than what I have now or how are they different than what I have now? I'm making my decision kind of how (Dale) Earnhardt Jr. did, and it's about winning races and championships and contending for the title and having good equipment. There are lots of teams that have that, but I feel comfortable where I'm at with Roush Fenway. I've been there 10 years and we've got great equipment." Then that same equipment failed him Saturday night in Richmond, and Biffle sure didn't sound as convincing. Compounding the situation is that Roush officials have openly questioned why, if Biffle is so certain he wants a contract extension, he's been absent of late from the bargaining table. Biffle's cited a busy schedule for the slow contract talks, but it's time to wonder if he maybe isn't taking a harder look at what's available across the garage. And of all the drivers still on the market, Biffle is the top choice. He's considered more talented than Ryan Newman, who is available, and Martin Truex Jr., who might be available, and both drivers are continuously mentioned for other rides.(see full story at Associated Press/ESPN.com)(5-13-2008)
Biffle plans to re-sign with Roush, not talking to other teams: #16-Greg Biffle says he isn't interested in entertaining offers from other Sprint Cup organizations outside of Roush Fenway Racing, much less signing with them. Biffle said on Friday at Richmond International Raceway that "my 100% intent" is to work an extension with Roush Fenway, adding he's not curious to see what other opportunities might be out there. "There are a lot of great teams and great opportunities out there," said Biffle, whose contract expires at the end of this season. "I am making my decision kind of how [Dale] Earnhardt Jr. did, and it's about winning races and championships and contending for the title and having good equipment. There are a lot of teams that have that, but I feel comfortable where I'm at with Roush Fenway."(ESPN.com)(5-2-2008)
Biffle talks contract/ownership: #16-Greg Biffle ON ALL THE TALK THIS WEEKEND OF TONY STEWART AND HIS CONTRACT SITUATION. "Obviously, he's let the world know that he was unhappy about something at Gibbs. I think we've all been in that situation before. There's certain ways to go about it, I guess, and he's made it known that he wants to get out of his current contract at the end of the season, I guess, or whatever. We all go through that, we all go through contract periods and wanting to get out of contract early to go do something else is part of the sport, I guess."
IS ANYTHING THAT HE'S DOING HAVE ANY EFFECT ON WHAT YOU'RE DOING REGARDING YOUR NEGOTIATIONS? "I don't think so. It may open up a ride at the 20 car, I guess, at Gibbs Racing. It may be another option, but I don't know. I don't think it affects what I'm doing. I'm negotiating with Roush Fenway for an extension on my current contract,
so I don't think what he's trying to do or going to do makes a difference."
WHERE ARE YOU WITH YOUR CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS? "Sort of in a holding pattern. We're not in a big hurry to get it done, I think. We're in that negotiation period, and like I said, I'm pretty confident that we're going to be able to get to common ground on what I want and what they want."
IF SOMEBODY THREW OWNERSHIP AT YOU, EVEN A PARTIAL OWNERSHIP, WOULD THAT SUDDENLY CHANGE THE WAY YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT THINGS? "They have. I have had offers of ownership of more than one team in the garage, and it's definitely an intriguing offer. There's a lot of things to consider when you're an athlete in you're in the position that we are in. Both Tony and I are, let's say, we're at the 60-percent point in our career. We're not Kyle Busch, you know, 21 or 22 years olds. So, at some point we need to start thinking about how long we want to be involved in this sport and what we want to do in the future. So, those ideas to stay involved in the sport are very intriguing to us. And I'm sure that's part of Tony's thinking is, when I'm done driving the 20 car, or whatever car, what am I going to do in the future? And he's probably watching out for himself, thinking ahead, and somebody's made an offer or whatnot, and he's considering it."(Ford Racing)(4-26-2008)
American Red Cross Launches Campaign to Connect Fans With Blood Donations: The American Red Cross announced the launch of Red Cross Racing, a new national campaign to recruit NASCAR fans as blood donors and raise awareness of the need to give blood. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. Through the support of 3M and Roush Fenway Racing the #16 Ford will race this Sunday at the Aaron's 499 in Talladega, Ala. in a full paint scheme featuring the Red Cross logo. The car will be driven by Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet member and blood donor Greg Biffle. Race fans will be able to join a Donor Rewards Program by visiting redcrossracing.com beginning on April 24. This new Web site makes it easy to schedule blood donation appointments online and offers frequent donors the chance to get points, which can be exchanged for Red Cross Racing gear, including caps, t-shirts, jackets and limited edition die-cast cars. Race fans can also join Red Cross Racing at one of the nine NASCAR races where a Red Cross trailer will be on the midway. All participants who sign up between April 24 and October 1 are automatically entered into a sweepstakes for an all-expense paid trip for two to the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Speedway on November 9, 2008. The Red Cross will be highly visible at NASCAR races, thanks to a nearly $2 million donation by 3M. The #16 Ford Fusion will also feature the full Red Cross paint scheme on November 9, 2008 during the Phoenix race. In both races Biffle will wear a Red Cross-branded fire suit. In addition, the Red Cross logo will be seen on the #16 Ford Fusion in eight other races this season: New Hampshire, Chicago, Michigan, Richmond (September), Kansas, Charlotte (October), Texas and Phoenix.(Red Cross PR), see image of the scheme on my #16 Team Schemes page.(4-22-2008)
Dunkin' Donuts teams up with Fenway Sports: As it expands nationally, Dunkin' Donuts is teaming up with a high-powered group of local sports marketers to bring in new customers. Dunkin’ now has 5,500 stores, but plans to triple that number over the next two decades, targeting markets like Dallas, Cleveland and Nashville that are outside its Northeast base. The Canton-based chain has hired Fenway Sports Group to help devise a national sports marketing campaign. That could mean rolling out Dunkin' ads featuring sports stars in some of its new markets across the country, said Mark Lev, executive vice president at Fenway Sports Group. The Dunkin' deal is a major coup for FSG, which has been building a broad portfolio of deals ranging from a 50% stake in a top NASCAR race team to consulting deals with a range of companies.(Boston Herald)(4-15-2008)
Biffle Doesn't Consider Childress a Future Option: Greg Biffle, a sought-after Sprint Cup star in a contract year, doesn't foresee the recently announced #33 Richard Childress Racing Chevys as an option for his future. Biffle, who last week said he was "90 percent" sure he would sign a contract extension with his current team, Roush Fenway Racing, for 2009 and beyond, cited the fickle nature of the top-35 rule as a key deterrent from considering Childress' fourth car. "I don't really see that being an alternative for me," Biffle said. "The one thing a guy's got to look at is, I'm third in points [now] and have a chance to make the Chase right now, and I'm running fairly well. And to go to a team that has no points and try to qualify for the Daytona 500, and go to Las Vegas and try to qualify, and California, on time, and dodge rainouts -- we see all these teams struggle to get in the top 35. I don't see that as a smart career move for myself."(ESPN.com)(4-5-2008)
RFR working on driver contracts: Greg Biffle’s contract extension with Roush Fenway Racing is nearly complete, and the team is working on extensions for David Ragan and Carl Edwards. Using Biffle’s words from earlier in the week, Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith said that the contract with Biffle is 90% along. He said the fact that Biffle is running second in points has not accelerated the deal. “We wanted to get it done over the winter,” Smith said Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. “We like to get them done so they don’t become a distraction of the team in terms of the race season.” The contracts for Edwards and Ragan, as well as those with the companies sponsoring [AAA announced they would leave at the end of 2008] their cars, end after the season is over. Smith indicated that the team would like to sign the sponsor and driver at the same time. He said the team also is working with a sponsor to finalize the Biffle deal. “For us, there’s a money equation that has to be met,” Smith said. “The sponsor has to pay [a certain amount] in order for us to pay the driver and so forth. We close all of that out at the same time.” Smith doesn’t anticipate having trouble finding sponsorship for Edwards. His organization currently is looking for sponsorship for the two Yates Racing cars. “It’s pretty early,” Smith said about the sponsor search. “Carl Edwards, even in this down economy, he’s the hottest property in the garage. We’ve got all the sponsorship we can handle for him. David, and Travis [Kvapil] and David Gilliland, they’re all in the mix. We’re hoping the economic climate improves here shortly and typically May and June are big months for significant prospects to come forward for us. We’re about to find out if that’s true.”(SceneDaily)(3-31-2008)
Roush Fenway Racing doesn't plan any legal action against MWR: Roush Fenway Racing doesn't plan to take legal action against Michael Waltrip Racing for what it characterized as the theft of a sway bar unless there is evidence that the piece has been duplicated. Team president Geoff Smith said the issue would not have surfaced at all had Toyota general manager Lee White not insinuated that Roush's team of Carl Edwards intentionally cheated at Las Vegas.(see full story at ESPN.com), so lets hope this whole thing is over.(3-30-2008)
MWR had [Roush] part, says it was a mistake UPDATE: Michael Waltrip confirmed Friday afternoon that it was his team that Jack Roush was alluding to when saying a Toyota team had stolen a sway bar from Roush Fenway Racing at Dover last September. “It was a mistake,” Waltrip said. “Look at the back of these toolboxes. There are sway bars, there’s jack handles, and it wound up in our possession. We called them and said, ‘We want to give this back.’ ”(full story atSceneDaily)
MORE: Michael Waltrip acknowledged on Saturday that his team had the sway bar that team owner Jack Roush accused a Toyota team of stealing last season. But Waltrip insisted that it wasn't a theft, that the bar accidentally wound up at his shop after the September race at Dover and that nobody realized it belonged to Roush Fenway Racing until that organization called to inquire about it in January. "Accidents happen, mistakes happen," Waltrip said. "If you look inside this garage area today there's over 70 racing vehicles in here and stuff gets slung everywhere ... I could see why he would be upset. He feels like he was wronged and he's mad about it." Roush said the sway bar was specially designed by Roush Fenway for his cars. He said they were larger than the old bars, unable to fit in the toolbox slot and were put underneath the box instead. Roush said a member of a Toyota team -- which turned out to be David Reutimann's #00 car -- parked next to him at Dover, then walked over and took the piece. "I don't know what makes him tick," Waltrip said of Roush. "But I do know that no one went to his toolbox and swiped his bar." Waltrip said he had no knowledge that the piece was sandblasted to hide its identity and that somebody from his team called a vendor to have it duplicated as Roush alleged. "I don't have knowledge of any of that," he said. "I heard it was painted blue and when we figured out that it wasn't ours then it was set off to the side and eventually returned."(ESPN.com)(3-29-2008)
NASCAR won't intervene in Roush dispute with Toyota team: NASCAR officials say they will not intervene in the dispute between Roush Fenway Racing and an unspecified Toyota team that allegedly took a part from the Ford organization. Team owner Jack Roush is asking NASCAR for “relief” on the issue, but NASCAR Vice President of Competition strongly dismissed that idea on Friday. “If they’ve got issues with each other or other teams, then they’ve got to talk to those other teams,” Pemberton said. “I didn’t take a part or a piece, all right? Nobody in this [NASCAR] trailer took a part or a piece. We know Jack said that, and apparently some other team acknowledged having a part or a piece. Those people need to work their deal out.” Roush said a Toyota team took a sway bar home from a September race at Dover last season. If that’s true, Pemberton said, “Then shame on a team that has that person working for them. If you’ve got a guy that takes a part or a piece from another team, then, in my opinion, I wouldn’t have a guy like that work for me,” he said. Still, that doesn’t mean NASCAR is going to do anything about it. “[The teams] have to work together,” he said. “We’re not going to build walls in here. We’re not going to separate everything. We’re going to run this garage area just like it’s been run. If you have issues, then you've got to work it out.”(SceneDaily)(3-29-2008)
Latest on the 'stolen' Roush "proprietary part" UPDATE MWR: Jack Roush said on Friday that a Toyota team stole a sway bar made specifically for Roush Fenway Racing from one of his Sprint Cup teams last season at Dover. "A theft did occur," the co-owner of Roush Fenway said during practice at Martinsville Speedway. "The part was recovered ... We are still considering what if any legal action to seek." One of Roush's options is asking for a restraining order to guarantee the team in question does not duplicate the bar, which has been determined legal by NASCAR, for a competitive advantage. "It's lawyer time," Roush said. Roush made his first comments since he was quoted in ESPN The Magazine as saying a proprietary part was found missing from his inventory and discovered with a Toyota team. He discounted comments made by Jim Aust, the president of Toyota Racing Development, that a valve spring was found during a teardown inspection, identified as belonging to Roush and returned. Roush said the theft occurred in the garage area at Dover in September [2007], where the only Toyota teams in the field belonged to Michael Waltrip Racing and Team Red Bull.
Lee White, the general manager of TRD, said his organization launched a full investigation into the allegation when Roush's allegations were published in ESPN The Magazine.
He said a valve spring that did not belong to Toyota ended up at TRD's California location after the California race, that it was reported to NASCAR and returned. Roush said he became aware of the theft in early January when the vendor that produced the product for Roush Fenway was contacted by the Toyota team in question about duplicating the bar.
Roush said he's had several discussions with NASCAR officials about the situation. He was alarmed when Robin Pemberton, the vice president of competition for the series, said disappearing parts are a common occurrence and the teams needed to work it out amongst themselves. Roush said there is something fundamentally wrong if NASCAR doesn't intercede, reminding the governing body has no problem reacting when somebody uses an illegal part -- on purpose or not. Roush, noting he has been in the business 22 years, and said this is the first time he's heard of such a situation. He declined to respond to a question in which Michael Waltrip Racing was insinuated as the Toyota team. "I don't substantiate," he said. Waltrip declined to comment until he heard how the question was posed and the way Roush responded.(see full story at ESPN.com), see past news about this on the #17 Team News and Links page.(3-28-2008)
Biffle 90% sure he'll stay at Roush UPDATE: #16-Greg Biffle is in his contract year -- is deal with Roush Fenway Racing is up at the end of the season. He's got something to prove, not only to everybody who thought he would never make the Chase again, but also to team owner Jack Roush. He's said that he feels there's a "90 percent" chance he will re-sign, but there's little doubt that the better he does on the track, the more money he's likely to make off of it.(Sports Illustrated)(3-28-2008)
UPDATE: Greg Biffle on Friday stated his intent to sign a contract extension with Roush-Fenway Racing, saying he is "90%" sure he will do so. "We're really just in the fine-tune negotiations [stage]," Biffle said. "I think we're coming along fairly well. It hasn't been a top priority, but we've been communicating back and forth about what we'd like to see in a contract -- appearances and the way it's structured and different things. And I feel pretty confident we're going to be able to reach middle ground [at Roush Fenway]. I would say 90%." The hope, Biffle said, is to complete the agreement by midseason. "That would be preferable," Biffle said. "So closing down to the chase, and the championship, we have the thing ironed out." Biffle said other teams have mentioned casual interest in securing his driving services, and he's spoken with them -- but only in passing. Roush Fenway, he said, is the only team with which he is negotiating.(ESPN.com)(3-28-2008)
Roush Says Toyota Team Stole "Proprietary Part" UPDATE 2: ESPN the Magazine has an interesting and potentially explosive quote from Roush Fenway Racing co-owner Jack Roush as part of its 10th Anniversary issue, which is on newsstands this week. Two weeks ago at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the magazine quotes Roush as saying, “We had a proprietary Roush Fenway part go missing from one of my race teams, and we recovered it from a Toyota team. I’m not going to say which team it is, but we are considering legal action, or getting NASCAR involved.” If Roush’s allegations prove to be true, this could become NASCAR’s version of the recent spy scandal that rocked Formula One racing, in which the McLaren-Mercedes team was caught with confidential, proprietary test information belonging to rival Ferrari. We contacted Roush Fenway Racing today in search of further information – including team was involved and the specific part in question -- and we [SIRIUS Speedway w/ Dave Moody] hope to have a statement from them later today.(Motorsports Soapbox)(3-25-2008)
UPDATE: Jack Roush, co-owner of Ford-based Roush Fenway Racing, leveled another serious accusation at nemesis Toyota at Atlanta Motor Speedway -- one that took nearly three weeks to surface. No one from either RFR or Toyota was willing to comment on Tuesday, but no one was denying Roush told a reporter from ESPN The Magazine on March 7 that a Toyota team had been in possession of an RFR team part.(ESPN)(3-26-2008)
UPDATE 2: Toyota officials on Wednesday identified the Roush Fenway Racing part that owner Jack Roush said was found in a Toyota team's possession during a Sprint Cup post-race teardown as a spring. Jim Aust, the president and chief executive officer of Toyota Racing Development, said once the part was found to belong to RFR that it was returned. He was uncertain how the part, discovered on a table with other Toyota parts, got there or from which team it came. "I don't understand the whole procedure when a teardown happens," said Aust, referring to a post-race process in which several cars are broken down by NASCAR inspectors. "The only thing I know is it wound up with parts we had and [which were] returned to Roush. "It's unfortunate it happened the way it did. It wasn't anything intentional. There's no reason to be done intentional. I have no idea how it happened to begin with." Roush Fenway president Geoff Smith said the part in question was not a spring, but he would not elaborate. No one at RFR has identified which Toyota team had the part. "Jack is the only one to talk to at this time and he presently doesn't want to make any additional comments," Smith said.(ESPN.com)(3-26-2008)
The DISH Network to sponsor Roush cars for 15 races: Roush Fenway Racing announced DISH Network has signed on as a sponsor in the 2008 Sprint Cup Series. DISH Network will have a team representative and serve as a primary sponsor in 15 Sprint Cup Races in 2008, alternating between three Roush Fenway drivers. Greg Biffle will drive the #16 DISH Network Ford Fusion in 11 Sprint Cup races, Carl Edwards will drive the #99 Ford in three races [this week at California is one] and Matt Kenseth will race the #17 Ford in one race [Bristol in March]. The DISH Network team of drivers will be dubbed the DISH Network AllStars. The DISH Network AllStars first race is Sunday, Feb. 24 featuring the 2007 Nationwide Series champion #99-Carl Edwards.(Roush Fenway Racing)(2-21-2008)
Roush looking to re-sign drivers: Roush Fenway Racing officials say they are working on contract extensions for #99-Carl Edwards and #16-Greg Biffle. The contracts for both drivers expire after this season.(Virginia Pilot)(1-26-2008)
CitiFinancial sponsoring Roush: CitiFinancial will be the primary sponsor on a variety of Roush Fenway Racing entries in all 35 Nationwide Series events in 2008. The sponsorship is part of Citi's new multifaceted, strategic marketing partnership with Roush Fenway Racing. As part of the relationship, CitiFinancial will tap into Roush Fenway's all-star driver lineup to pilot the CitiFinancial Ford. In addition, Citi will become a major associate sponsor on all Roush Fenway Racing teams, including the Sprint Cup Series entries of #16-Greg Biffle, #99-Carl Edwards, #17-Matt Kenseth, #26-Jamie McMurray, and #6-David Ragan.(Roush Fenway PR)(1-19-2008)
3M Donates Two Full Paint Schemes to Red Cross for the 2008: 3M, in partnership with Roush Fenway Racing, announced that it will donate the #16 Ford’s full paint scheme to the American Red Cross for two races during the 2008 Sprint Cup season. 3M will also donate space on the rear quarter panel of the car where the Red Cross logo will appear in eight other races during the year. For more information on donating blood, or to make an appointment, call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or log on to www.givelife.org. Greg Biffle will drive the Red Cross Ford at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27 and at Phoenix International Raceway on November 9. He will also appear in television and radio public service announcements to support the mission of the Red Cross. 3M has a long history of supporting the Red Cross through in kind contributions of disaster relief supplies. Last year, the 3M gave generous financial contributions to the Twin Cities Area Chapter of the Red Cross—and its employees
gave over 2,000 units of blood. For more information about 3M, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com. (Roush Fenway Racing PR), see an image of the car on the #16 Team Schemes page.(1-7-2008)
Past 2007 News
Biffle cooks on TV: #16-Greg Biffle is scheduled to appear on the Food Network show, Paula's Party, on Friday, Dec. 21 at 9:00pm/et [re-air at midnight]. Paula Deen puts the pedal to the metal and turns up the heat with NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and her Blowtorch Steak with Bourbon Mushroom Sauce.(Food Network)(12-20-2007)
Roush Fenway Racing announces new GM - Robbie Reiser: Roush Fenway Racing announced Thursday that championship crew chief, Robbie Reiser, has been appointed General Manager of Roush Fenway Racing’s Nextel Cup team operations. “This is a great opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to the next phase of my racing career,” Reiser said. “If it’s anywhere near as fun, competitive, and successful as the previous phase, then we’re going to be in good shape. It wasn’t an easy decision to stop being the crew chief of the #17 team, but now I get to work with all of our Cup teams and help improve our performance as a whole. I’m looking forward to the new challenge.” Reiser replaces Max Jones and steps into the GM role with well over 20 years of racing experience under his belt. Roush Fenway Racing is expected to name other crew changes to the #17 Ford team in the upcoming weeks.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(11-15-2007)
Doug Yates and Max Jones join forces: Yates Racing announced Thursday that Max Jones, long-time general manager for Roush Fenway Racing and former road-racing driver has joined Yates Racing as a co-owner and will also assume the role of General Manager . Jones, a native of Long Beach, Calif., joins Yates Racing after serving as general manager for Roush Fenway Racing’s Cup program in 2007. “We’re thrilled to have someone as respected as Max join Yates Racing,” said Yates Racing owner, Doug Yates. “With his experience in the sport and working with such a large and successful organization as Roush Fenway Racing for so many years, he will immediately step in and improve our race operations. As we continue to improve and restructure in preparation for a successful 2008 season, having someone with Max’s experience and credibility only accelerates the process of getting Yates Racing back to where it needs to be and that’s competing for wins and championships on a weekly basis.” Jones will add his experience to one of the most successful operations in motorsports. Since venturing into NASCAR’s Cup series in 1989, Yates Racing has recorded 57 wins, 269 top fives, and 427 top-10 finishes, including the Cup
series championship in 1999.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(11-15-2007)
On Friday, Nov. 16 in Victory Lane at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, Greg Biffle will officiate the first-ever Oreo Double Stuf Race "lick-off" where five finalists from across the country will see who can twist, lick and dunk their Oreo Double Stuf cookie and glass of milk the fastest for the grand prize of $10,000. As the "Official Cookie of NASCAR," Oreo teamed up with Biffle on the Oreo Double Stuf Race campaign to encourage friends and families to enjoy some friendly competition, and find a few lucky lickers to compete in Miami:
* DeAnn Bennett of Niles, Ohio
* Justin Channen of Lakewood, Calif.
* William Reed Hair of Eliot, ME
* Kristie Sullivan of Kansas City, KS
on Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, 7:30am/et at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. For more information on the contest, visit www.oreo.com.(11-13-2007)
NASCAR studying how Hamlin, Blaney had water in fuel: MORE Denny Hamlin, who thought he had enough gas while leading when his car sputtered and didn't start with three laps remaining in the Pep Boys Auto 500, actually had water in his fuel cell at the time. Whether that caused him not to accelerate and get hit from behind by Martin Truex Jr. is uncertain, Joe Gibbs Racing Senior Vice President Jimmy Makar said Sunday night at Atlanta. But what is certain is that Hamlin and Bill Davis Racing's Dave Blaney had water in their fuel cells, and Roush Fenway Racing's Greg Biffle also might have had a similar situation. NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Director John Darby said that no water was found in the Sunoco pumps following the race. Darby said all of the Sunoco documentation from the weekend shows no water in the tanks.(SceneDaily.com)(10-28-2007)
UPDATE: Water found in the fuel tanks of cars driven by #11-Denny Hamlin and #22-Dave Blaney during Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Atlanta was not isolated to those teams, a NASCAR official said Monday. Water also was discovered in the fuel of the Penske Racing cars driven by #2-Kurt Busch and #12-Ryan Newman after returning to Charlotte, N.C. In addition, water was found in the fuel cell of all three Richard Childress racing team cars belonging to #29-Kevin Harvick, #07-Clint Bowyer and #31-Jeff Burton. #16-Greg Biffle believes his car may have had water in its fuel, although no evidence was found. NASCAR Nextel Cup Series director John Darby said the problem is more widespread than originally thought and that NASCAR has issued bulletins to all Cup and Truck Series teams to check for evidence of contamination so they can locate the source. Darby said everything from the underground fuel-holding tank at the track to the fuel trucks that deliver the gas to the individual gas cans are being analyzed. He said the underground tank is the least likely source because there is an alarm system located that can detect the slightest amount of contamination. Darby dismissed sabotage as a possible explanation, saying too many teams were affected for anyone to have been singled out.(ESPN.com)(10-30-2007)
Aflac to sponsor Edwards in 2008: Aflac is close to announcing a 2008 NASCAR limited sponsorship deal with Roush Fenway Racing. Aflac will sponsor a #99 Ford driven by Carl Edwards. An Aflac executive would not confirm the deal with Edwards on Tuesday, but the company did not deny it either when asked about Edwards. "We are still working through the details," said Al Johnson, a second vice president responsible for sponsorships. "We like Carl and what he has done this year -- and what we expect him to do next year. We're very excited." The final terms of the deal could be announced in the next two weeks. The deal with Edwards is expected to be for eight races and could possibly include an associate sponsorship that would put the Aflac duck logo somewhere on the car for the entire season, said a source familiar with the deal. Edwards' primary sponsor is Office Depot. The eight races that Aflac will be the primary sponsor with the corporate logo on the hood have not been determined. Terms of the deal are not available. It is believed Aflac spent between $2 million and $3 million for the 2007 deal. Aflac broke into NASCAR racing this summer with an eight-race deal with Roush Fenway. That deal included four Nextel Cup races in California, New Hampshire, Chicago and Kansas City and four Busch Series races. #16-Greg Biffle drove the Aflac car on the Nextel Cup circuit, winning the race in Kansas City. Roush Fenway drivers Edwards, Matt Kenseth and Jamie McMurray split the Busch races. Biffle, Edwards' Roush Fenway teammate, will be sponsored by 3M next year. In July, Aflac announced a deal with NASCAR to serve as the sport's exclusive supplemental insurance sponsor and provider through the 2010 season. It is not known what Aflac paid for that designation.(Ledger-Enquirer)(10-24-2007)
Biffle Likes Option of Part Time Schedule in the Future: If #16-Greg Biffle could choreograph his preferred exit strategy from the NASCAR Nextel Cup ranks, he'd race for six more years. Possibly seven. He'd like to sign a three-year contract now, and down the line ink another three-year deal. That would get him to 43 years old. But say he was offered a part-time mentorship gig like Mark Martin has at Dale Earnhardt Inc. Would he consider it? "To be totally honest, if I could sign a three-year deal that I ran 15 to 17 races [a year], I'd strongly consider ending the fulltime thing sooner," Biffle said Friday at Martinsville Speedway. "It gives you a life."(ESPN.com)(10-21-2007)
Congrats to Greg Biffle & Nicole Lunders: At just around 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17th, Greg Biffle and his longtime girlfriend Nicole were pronounced husband and wife in a little white chapel at the Palmetto Bluff Resort in South Carolina. The couple met in the spring of 1998 and began dating officially later that summer. Last Christmas, Greg decided it was time to propose and Nicole happily accepted. Plans were made for an autumn wedding at the southern resort located about 20 minutes from Savannah.(Roush Fenway PR)(10-20-2007)
Biffle plans to work on contract extension in offseason: Greg Biffle said Thursday at Lowe's Motor Speedway that he will definitely be back in the #16 next year but doesn't have a contract beyond that. "Probably this winter we'll start talking about it, start getting moving forward on an extension," Biffle said. "It's sort of backwards, because a lot of times you've got to have a driver to be able to sell a sponsor." Biffle wants to have an extension signed before the Daytona 500. He said there is a "90 percent" chance he'll remain in with Roush Fenway.(SceneDaily.com)(10-12-2007)
3M to be primary sponsor for Biffle in 2008: 3M announced today a multi-year partnership with Roush Fenway Racing to become the primary sponsor of the #16 3M Ford
Fusion. The contract calls for 3M to be the primary sponsor for driver Greg Biffle for 23 Sprint [Nextel this year] Cup races in 2008. Terms were not disclosed. “Greg is one of the most respected drivers in NASCAR and we’re looking forward to building on the great relationship that has grown over the years with Greg and with Roush Fenway Racing,” said Bob MacDonald, 3M Senior Vice President of Marketing. “He’s great on the track and just as good with our customers and employees and with all the fantastic NASCAR fans. The 3M Motorsports team is really working hard to drive brand awareness and sales growth with the great NASCAR fans through our association with NASCAR and Roush Fenway Racing,” MacDonald added. “Jack Roush has been instrumental in helping us take 3M’s NASCAR program to the next level, and I appreciate everything he and his team have done. I also thank Todd Kluever for his contributions to our program over the last two years. We wish him every success in the future. ” In 2007 3M sponsored Biffle (19 races) and Kluever (14 races) in the Busch Series, and seven races with Biffle in the Nextel Cup Series. Since 1995 3M has been a Contingency Decal sponsor of NASCAR in the Nextel Cup, Busch Series and the Whelen All-America Weekly Racing Series and has many products that have been designated Officially Licensed Products of NASCAR. For more information abour 3M, see www.3M.com.(Roush Fenway Racing PR), see an image of the scheme on my 2008 #16 Team Schemes page.(10-11-2007)
Biffle wins at Kansas: #16-Greg Biffle won the shortened Lifelock 400 at Kansas Speedway by taking the lead with 37 laps to go and dodging a green-white-checker finish when NASCAR decided not to restart the race because of darkness. It is his first win of 2007 and the 12th of his career. The race was stopped twice because of rain including one red flag that lasted more than 2 hours. NASCAR shortened the race to 210 laps. #07-Bowyer finished second. #48-Johnson finished 3rd and now leads the points by 6 over #24-Gordon.. The rest of the top 10: #25-Mears, #24-Gordon, #29-Harvick, #41-Sorenson, #19-Sadler, #9-Kahne, and #8-Earnhardt Jr. Several chase drivers were in accidents and had poor finishes. Other chase drivers finished: #2-Busch 11th, #11-Hamlin 29th, #17-Kenseth 35th, #31-Burton 36th, #99-Edwards 37th, #1-Truex Jr. 38th, #20-Stewart 39th, and #5-Busch 41st. There were 12 cautions (and 2 red flags) for 54 laps and 11 leaders with 18 lead changes.
Race Results on my Kansas Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Kansas page.
Race Rundown: see my Kansas Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown, laps led, top 10, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(9-30-2007)
Lumber Liquidators on the #16 at NHIS: On Sunday, Sept 16th, at the New Hampshire International Speedway, Lumber Liquidators will be the primary sponsor of the #16 Ford Fusion driven by Greg Biffle. In addition, Lumber Liquidators will celebrate its relationship with the Boston Red Sox by featuring the Red Sox logo on the Roush Fenway entry for the Sylvania 300. This is an extension of the partnership between the hardwood flooring retailer and Roush Fenway Racing; at the June 1 race at Loudon, Lumber Liquidators featured the Red Sox logo on the #99 Ford driven by Carl Edwards.(Lumber Liquidators PR), see an image of the #16 car on my #16 Team Schemes page and the #99 from July on my #99 Team Schemes page.(9-14-2007)
Braun to make stock car debut in ARCA for Roush: Colin Braun, driver of the #99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford Fusion, will make his Roush Fenway Racing debut in Friday night's ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Gateway International Speedway. Braun recently signed long-term contracts with Roush Fenway Racing and Ford Racing.(Ford Racing PR)(8-29-2007)
Roush Fenway confirms sponsorship for Biffle team set: Roush Fenway Racing has sponsorship for Greg Biffle and the #16 Sprint Cup Ford for next season, team president Geoff Smith confirmed Saturday. Four companies will make up the sponsorship, Smith said but declined to elaborate. Biffle is the only driver whom Roush needed to find a 2008 sponsorship package for. "Barring something really, really weird that I don't expect, we're all good," Smith said. "We'll announce it at a later date."(SceneDaily.com)(8-26-2007)
Roush to sell off one team, then help: In 2010, Roush Fenway Racing will have to shrink from five cars to four, but Jack Roush already has a plan in mind: Sell the fifth car to a group of investors as what he called "seed corn" for an investor-controlled four-car team owned and funded by a group outside of Roush but fueled with Roush crews and technology.
"It shouldn't go without notice that we are unabated in our effort to find and identify new drivers and to build our crews and teams with outsiders to the extent that we can and advance them through the programs as they get experience," Roush said. "We're on a track to be able to help somebody come in and provide the technology and the manpower to get them started."(Ford Racing)(8-18-2007)
MWR to two teams? to lose UPS? UPDATE both DENIED: Toyota is expected to pair down Michael Waltrip racing from a three-car effort to a two-car squad, shifting some of that support to JGR's three-car team of Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin. Dale Jarrett is said to be seriously considering retirement, trading in his helmet for a microphone as a television analyst, which would leave MWR with Michael Waltrip and David Reutimann. There has been talk that UPS, unhappy with the lack of exposure the company has received this year from Jarrett's struggles to make races, is looking at other teams for 2008 sponsorship with Roush Fenway Racing a target, possibly for Greg Biffle's #16 entry.(RacingOne)(8-8-2007)
UPDATE: on Wednesday's NASCAR Now [ESPN2] Angelique Chengelis reported that Michael Waltrip Racing's Ty Norris said there was absolutely no morsel of truth to the rumor about MWR scaling back to two teams or Dale Jarrett leaving, plus Norris was at a UPS Sponsor summit and that UPS says things are going well.(8-9-2007)
Biffle: Improve animal shelter: An animal-welfare group headed by NASCAR driver Greg Biffle [gregbifflefoundation.com] and his fiancée [Nicole Lunders] hope Iredell County [NC] will work with it to improve the plight of dogs and cats at the county animal shelter. Iredell County Animal Control continues to euthanize animals at a higher rate at the shelter it runs than surrounding counties, including Mecklenburg. Friends of the Animals says Iredell County can do better. The Statesville-based group wants to fund an endowment to benefit the shelter, including underwriting the cost of the shelter switching to lethal injection of animals from the present method of a carbon-monoxide gas chamber. Friends of the Animals also would build a multimillion-dollar animal adoption and education center for the county, said Dr. Kathy Kramer, a Charlotte veterinarian formerly of the Animal Hospital of Statesville.(Charlotte Observer)(8-3-2007)
Special scheme for Biffle at Pocono MORE: This weekend #16-Greg Biffle will run a special black "Dog the Bounty Hunter" paint scheme for Dish Network.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(8-1-2007)
MORE: This weekend at Pocono Raceway the #16 Ford will have a new look to it as Greg Biffle debuts a special Dish Network/Dog the Bounty Hunter paint scheme. "Dog the Bounty Hunter" is a television show on A & E, a partner of Dish Network. Beginning Tuesday, August 7th at 9:00pm on A & E there will be a special "Dog Days of Summer" series of
episodes featuring Duane "Dog" Chapman - the world's most famous bounty hunter - and his posse. "Dog the Bounty Hunter is a reality television show, chronicling Duane "Dog" Chapman's operations at his job, Da Kine Bail Bonds in Honolulu, Hawaii.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(8-2-2007)
Wii scheme on the #16 at two races: For two Nextel Cup races, #16-Greg Biffle will run a special Nintendo Wii paint scheme for the #16 Ford at Watkins Glen in August and Dover in September. See an image of the scheme on my #16 Team Schemes page.(7-3-2007)
UPDATE: Greg Biffle will debut a Nintendo Wii-themed Ford at Watkins Glen in August and then provide an encore performance at Dover in September. Nintendo's partnership with Roush Fenway Racing is the company's first endeavor with NASCAR.(Roush Fenway PR)(7-17-2007)
Roush COT Testing in Full Swing: Entering this weekend's USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicago, Ford and Roush finally look like a match for the Chevys. "The big thing that has helped us with the Car of Tomorrow is we now have a test team," [Jack] Roush said. "We are doing the things I thought we weren't going to be allowed to do when NASCAR told us we couldn't take tires from the racetrack because they didn't want us to test. I thought they would put teeth in that, but they didn't. We got behind. But five weeks ago I hired six people and dedicated a tractor-trailer [for testing]. We've been to Iowa, Milwaukee four times in the last month, and Road Atlanta and VIR [Virginia International Raceway]." Roush's three 2007 victories have come with NASCAR's current car, and the Chicagoland race also will feature the current car. But if Roush Fenway is going to compete with the Chevy teams for the championship, it will have to have a strong COT program. "We're not caught up yet," Roush said. "But we're certainly on the path, and we'll be heard from more before the year is over."(Tampa Tribune)(7-13-2007)
Colin Braun tests Roush stock car: 18-year-old sports car driver Colin Braun tested a Roush Fenway Racing stock car last week at the Caraway Speedway, NC for just the second time in his motorsport career. Braun last month became the youngest driver to ever stand on the famed Le Mans 24 Hour podium in France following a second place finish in the GT2 class driving Krohn Racing’s Ferrari 430GT alongside team-owner Tracy Krohn and Nic Jönsson. Braun’s on-track accomplishments have not gone unnoticed and earlier in June he was signed to a driver development deal by no-less a racing organisation than Roush Fenway Racing. “I’m naturally very excited to have the opportunity to drive a stock car for someone like Jack Roush and Roush Fenway Racing. The opportunity really came about due to my successes in sports cars and the short time that I’ve been there. I definitely attribute a lot of that success to the foundation that
Speed Secrets gave me. I think I’m going to enjoy stock car racing and I’ve got no doubt that I’m going to learn a lot, starting with my participation in the ARCA series. We’re definitely taking things one step at a time but I know I’m doing a full season of ARCA in 2008 with the plan being to follow that up with a full season in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2009.”(Speed Secrets PR)(7-5-2007)
New York Investors Looking for Cup Teams: The buzz in the garage in New Hampshire is that at least two New York-based investment banking firms have been making the rounds among Nextel Cup teams, looking to invest in one or more teams, eventually taking a race team public with a stock offering. So far, there have been no takers among the NASCAR team owners. At least one of the investment firms has talked with multiple teams in the garage, including Robert Yates Racing [#38 & #88], Dale Earnhardt, Inc. [#1, #8, #15] and Roush Fenway Racing [#6, #16, #17, #26, #99], multiple sources said. The idea has been for the companies to make cash investments of upwards of $50 million in a team and then at some point sell their interests, perhaps by public stock offering. “We looked at their business plan and it didn’t make sense to us,” said Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith, who confirmed his team had been contacted by a New York-based investment fund that he did not identify by name. Robert Yates talked extensively with the potential investors and reached the same conclusion. “You sit in a room with about 20 bankers and you spend about 18 hours in there with them and you realize that they didn’t contribute anything to the gross national product except maybe going to the bathroom,” said Yates, who also has entertained merger and/or partnership offers from Dale Earnhardt, Inc., Robby Gordon Motorsports and Hall of Fame Racing, among others, before deciding to go it alone. Another team principal who spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday morning at New Hampshire, said the team he works with was approached by investors, but chose not to get involved with them, either. “They had a ton of money, but they didn’t know anything at all about racing,” he said, adding the team was not in need of a cash infusion and would only consider an outside investor if that investor could add significant value to the team.(SPEEDtv.com)(7-2-2007)
Roush-Fenway has Sponsor for Biffle in 2008: Roush-Fenway Racing will announce a one-year-only sponsor deal for Greg Biffle and the #16 Ford within the next 30 days, team President Geoff Smith said Sunday morning at New Hampshire. And because the sponsorship deal has been agreed to, the urgency for the team and Biffle to negotiate a contract extension beyond 2008 is over, Smith said. Biffle is expected to have multiple sponsors next year, possibly including Aflac, which sponsored Biffle’s car for the first time this weekend. “We’ve got it worked out,” Smith said. “We’ll be announcing it, I’d say, within 30 days.” As for Biffle, who has been the subject of many “Silly Season” rumors this year, “He’s definitely in the car next year,” Smith said.(SPEEDtv.com)(7-1-2007)
Roush: Aflac deal could be sign of things to come: Jack Roush says that his team's new partnership with Aflac could highlight how future sponsorships will work in the sport. The company is sponsoring eight Nextel Cup races as primary sponsor for #16-Greg Biffle this season. It is also sponsoring four Busch Series races with drivers Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth and Jamie McMurray. It's a business move that gives the company access to four of the organization's drivers. "The time may be waning when a new sponsor could come into our business and understand how to make their marketing program be configured in order to give them the value for a full schedule," Roush said Friday at Michigan International Speedway. "I think that the way that Aflac is coming in with a limited schedule, with some races in the Busch as well as the Cup side with multiple drivers I think is a prudent way to do it."(SceneDaily.com)(6-16-2007)
Roush not interested in Busch: His ride gone for next season and then his agent, #5-Kyle Busch faces more changes.
He'll search for a new ride and could be barred from some Hendrick Motorsports team meetings [as Brian Vickers was in 2006] even as he tries to make the title chase. Although Dale Earnhardt Jr. replaces him next year, Busch wouldn't mope about his situation Friday at Michigan International Speedway. "I'm interested in talking to ... whoever's got an open seat," Busch said before qualifying third for Sunday's race. "Let's sit down. Let's have dinner." Many owners are expected to answer, but not Jack Roush, for whom Busch drove before moving to Hendrick in 2003. "I am not interested in Kyle Busch," Roush said. "I've been there and I've done that."(Roanoke Times)(6-16-2007)
Biffle says team needs to run better before he signs contract extension: Greg Biffle says he's 90 percent sure he will sign an extension with Roush Fenway Racing beyond the end of his contract next season. But he added that won't happen until he sees an improvement with the performance of his team, which is 19th in points. "If I am not happy, why should I negotiate?" he said before Friday's practice at Michigan International Speedway. "I need to run better. We've got a couple of weak links. We want to strengthen our team a little better. We need to show up at the race track being competitive off the truck. I didn't forget how to drive at Pocono. We were 43rd at Pocono before qualifying. Qualified 42nd and ran 30th. And I am not going to sign a 5-year extension running like that." Team owner Jack Roush is confident things will turn around. "There isn't an imminent need for a conversation with Greg about a contract," he said. "We have a contract in place for 2008, and I think he's very comfortable with that, and I am as well.(ESPN.com)(6-16-2007)
Aflac to sponsor Biffle? UPDATE 3 Cue the Duck, Alfac signs with Roush: hearing that former #7 Robby Gordon Motorsports crew chief, Greg Erwin will be Biffle's new crew chief. Also hearing that Aflac will sponsor the #16 Ford as the primary in a few races Ameriquest is supposed to sponsor. Ameriquest if looking to get out of their sponsor contract with Roush Fenway Racing.(5-23-2007)
UPDATE: Aflac is on the verge of securing a multiyear team sponsorship deal with Roush Fenway Racing, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal reports. Staff writer Michael Smith also cites sources who say that the company is talking to NASCAR about acquiring official status in the category of supplemental insurance. Aflac's sponsorship with Roush Fenway is expected to include four Nextel Cup races this year as the primary sponsor on Greg Biffle's #16 car. The car is sponsored by Ameriquest, a troubled subprime lender that has been looking to sell off races and get out of the final two years of its deal. Aflac also will be featured as a primary sponsor for four Busch Series races this year, the story says, and to settle into a full-time Busch Series sponsorship with Roush Fenway for 2008.
An announcement about the sponsorship is expected sometime this month. The story also says that Aflac was involved in discussions with Dale Earnhardt Inc. for a deal that would have involved Dale Earnhardt Jr., but that deal fell through before Earnhardt's announcement that he'd leave DEI.(SceneDaily.com)(6-4-2007)
UPDATE 2: Roush Fenway Racing will announce the addition of a multi-team sponsor on Friday, June 15, 2007 at 9:30am/et at MIS with #16-Greg Biffle, #17-Matt Kenseth, #26-Jamie McMurray, #00-Carl Edwards and team owner Jack Roush.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(6-15-2007)
UPDATE 3: With a successful acting career in television commercials and even movies, the Aflac Duck has added yet another role to its already impressive repertoire - race-car driving. Aflac Incorporated announced that it is partnering with Roush Fenway Racing to sponsor eight Nextel Cup and Busch Series races in the 2007 season. Greg Biffle will drive the #16 Aflac Ford for its debut at the Nextel Cup race on July 1 at New Hampshire International Speedway for a total of four races. Aflac is also sponsoring four Busch Series races with drivers Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth and Jamie McMurray. "We look forward to working with a world-class team like Roush Fenway Racing to bring the Aflac brand closer to NASCAR fans," said Paul S. Amos II, president, Aflac; COO, U.S. Operations. "In addition to uniting with another great brand and working with these exciting drivers, this sponsorship will be a useful platform to build additional awareness of how our products can help consumers in their quest to balance everyday living expenses with out-of-pocket health care costs not covered by their existing major medical insurance." The paint scheme was unveiled today at Michigan International Speedway and can be viewed at aflacracing.com. The Aflac Racing schedule below is also available on the Web site.
Greg Biffle - #16 Aflac Ford, Nextek Cup Series:
* July 1, New Hampshire International Speedway
* July 15, Chicagoland Speedway
* Sept. 2, California Speedway
* Sept. 30, Kansas Speedway
Carl Edwards - #60 Aflac Ford, Busch Series, July 6 at Daytona
Matt Kenseth - #17 Aflac Ford, Busch Series, Aug. 11, Watkins Glen
Jamie McMurray - #26 Aflac Ford, Busch Series, Aug. 24 at Bristol and Sept. 7 at Richmond
To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(6-15-2007)
Negotiations between Biffle, Roush break down: UPDATE: Contract negotiations between #16-Greg Biffle and Roush Fenway Racing have stalled, Biffle told ESPN.com Friday at Pocono Raceway. Biffle said the decision to break off talks was his and is based largely on improving the performance of a No. 16 team that has been up-and-down of late and in a state of transition following the firing of crew chief Pat Tryson two weeks ago and subsequent hiring of crew chief Greg Irwin. Biffle expects negotiations to resume in about a month.(ESPN.com)(6-8-2007)
UPDATE: If there is any doubt Greg Biffle will return as driver of the #16 car next season he put those rumors to rest at Pocono. "It´s my full intention right now to race that (#16) car next year. I can´t leave next year. I not only have a contract with them (Roush-Fenway Racing) I´ve got a contract with Ford. The speculation is over. I have two contracts that I´m obligated to do and I´m going to do. If for some reason we don´t come to an agreement I´ll be driving something different in 2009, not 2008. I´m off the bargaining table. They need a driver for the #8 next year...that´s not me...or whatever other cars." Contract extension talks are on hold for at least the next month as Biffle wants to focus on the competition side with new crew chief Greg Irwin. "Greg is doing an unbelievable job" said Biffle. "Pat (Tryson) was a helluva crew chief. Pat got this team to where it is now. Greg´s taken over and it keeps going up. Let´s just work on getting into the chase instead of working on negotiating money, sponsor appearances, Busch Series stuff and all that. I want to have it done this year. I don´t want it to go into next year, so heck we´ve got five months and that´s a lot of time."(PRNs Garage Pass)(6-9-2007)
Roush to test COT more: Ford team-owner Jack Roush [#6,16,17,26,99] will use B.F. Goodrich and/or Hoosier tires to test his Car of Tomorrow fleet on non-Nextel Cup tracks in coming months. The team owner believes Roush Fenway Racing is slightly behind rivals that are skirting the spirit of NASCAR’s testing policies. By rule, Cup teams are limited to a handful of closely-monitored official tests. Teams must test together at the same Cup venue, and on Goodyear Eagles. But several organizations have gotten around that limit by using Goodrich and/or Hoosiers for unofficial testing at outside tracks. “NASCAR wanted to start everybody in the Car of Tomorrow on an even basis, with [the same] four or five tests,” Roush said at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “Well, the teams that have been successful—the Hendrick organization, the Gibbs organization and the Childress organization—have tested their cars multiple times a week. They’ve gone to tracks outside NASCAR’s control with tires that were not from Goodyear. Right now, Goodyear is sitting on millions of dollars worth of tires that are growing obsolete and hard in their warehouses. Teams have gotten around NASCAR’s policy by buying other people’s tires and testing at tracks that aren’t on the Nextel Cup schedule. I got behind on that; I didn’t do that. But two weeks ago I hired six people and dedicated a tractor-trailer, and I’ve gone public. ‘OK, I’m getting in the testing game, too.’ If you don’t want us to test, have us sign something in the application. Something that says, ‘We agree we won’t test with Goodyears or anybody else’s tires, except for the tracks that NASCAR approves.’ But they didn’t do that; they left the door open and we got behind… but we’re going to catch up.” Strictly speaking, there’s nothing illegal about what the Hendrick, Gibbs and Childress teams are doing. Jeff Gordon, who’s won two CoT races—teammate Jimmie Johnson has won two and Kyle Busch the other—said Hendrick Motorsports shouldn’t apologize for its CoT success. “If the Roush teams aren’t doing that, then that’s their mistake,” the series points-leader said. “We’re doing everything we can to be competitive and we’re not doing anything wrong. It’s definitely playing a role in helping us get to where we are.”(Ford Racing)(5-29-2007)
Roush, Red Sox Plan New England Bash: The first major collaboration to come from the partnership between Fenway Sports Group and the former Roush Racing will take place next month in Boston and New Hampshire with an event called Roush Fenway Days.
Roush Fenway Racing will have two days of activities at Fenway Park June 28-29, culminating with a baseball game between The Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers on June 29th. “We’re having our midyear sponsor summit there, followed by the game,” said Roush Fenway President Geoff Smith. “We’re having our big racing displays and event displays, like you would here at a racetrack, surround the park and be somewhat in the park. People get to participate in batting practice and there will be a big P.R. rollout inside the park with the drivers and players and so forth.” From there, Smith said, the action will move to New Hampshire International Speedway, site of the Lenox Industrial Tools 300 NASCAR Nextel Cup race July 1. “I think you’ll see one of our cars with a special paint scheme and some special guests,” said Smith. “It’ll integrate NASCAR and the whole Fenway Red Sox experience kind of all in one big weekend.”
Smith also said the team is close to announcing a title sponsor to the event.(SPEEDtv.com)(5-28-2007)
Tryson close to a deal with DEI: Pat Tryson, who was fired by Roush Fenway Racing last week, is close to a deal with Dale Earnhardt Inc. Richie Gilmore, the director of motorsports at DEI, hopes to have Tryson signed within the next two weeks. "He's looking at a couple of other options, but right now we're at the top of his list,'' Gilmore said before Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. DEI officials also are narrowing their search for a driver to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is leaving the company his father built after this season. They have a list of five candidates and could have that narrowed even further by the end of this week. They are looking not only at drivers currently inside the Nextel Cup garage but drivers who have been champions of other series. "The testament to this organization and what the company stands for is reflected by the high level of interest from people across this entire sport,'' said Max Siegel, the president of global operations at DEI.(ESPN.com)(5-27-2007)
Biffle/Tryson could reunite at DEI? UPDATE: Pat Tryson doesn't know where he'll work next, but he hasn't ruled out a reunion with driver #16-Greg Biffle. Fired as Biffle's crew chief at Roush Fenway Racing this week, Tryson said on Thursday at Lowe's Motor Speedway that he's been contacted about a job from officials at Dale Earnhardt Inc. He also acknowledged that Biffle has had ongoing conversations with DEI even before Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced he was leaving the organization that his father built. "I know if they want to keep Greg Biffle, [Roush] better get some stuff together,'' Tryson said during practice for Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. "I don't think Greg's shopping himself. I also don't believe he's going to rush to sign.'' Biffle's contract with Roush Fenway runs through 2008 and he's in the middle of negotiations on an extension. While he's said that an extension is his first choice, he wouldn't be the first person to get out of a Roush contract a year early. Kurt Busch left a year after the 2005 season to join Penske Racing.(ESPN.com)(5-24-2007)
UPDATE: Greg Biffle's contract negotiation with Roush Fenway Racing is currently "in limbo," the driver said Thursday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "Right now we've made a counter offer," Biffle said. "A lot of it regarded appearances and the way the contract was written -- and obviously money was one of the factors. So we're waiting to see where they sit with everything." Biffle explained the addition of Fenway Sports Group to the equation has diluted negotiations a bit.(ESPN.com)(5-25-2007)
DISH Network to debut at Coke 600: This weekend #16-Greg Biffle will run a red and black Dish Network paint scheme on the #16 Ford. He is scheduled to run the Dish Network paint scheme 12 more times this season.(Roush Racing PR)(5-23-2007)
Tryson leaves the #16? UPDATE 2 and Aflac to sponsor?: hearing that #16 Roush Racing crew chief, Pat Tryson, has parted ways with the team and driver Greg Biffle, no word where Tryson may go or who Biffle's crew chief will be for the Coca Cola 600 at LMS.(5-23-2007)
UPDATE: hearing that former #7 Robby Gordon Motorsports crew chief, Greg Erwin will be Biffle's new crew chief. Also hearing that Aflac will sponsor the #16 Ford as the primary in a few races Ameriquest is supposed to sponsor. Ameriquest if looking to get out of their sponsor contract with Roush Fenway Racing.
UPDATE 2: It was announced today at Roush Fenway Racing that Greg Erwin will take over as crew chief of the team's #16 Nextel Cup entry with driver Greg Biffle. "We obviously weren't performing at a level at which Jack expected and a change was made," said Biffle. Erwin was most recently the crew chief at Robby Gordon Motorsports for the #7 Nextel Cup entry. Prior to the two years at Robby Gordon Motorsports, Erwin accumulated seven years of experience as an engineer at Richard Childress Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing.
"I feel that this is one of the top crew chief opportunities in the Nextel Cup garage," said Erwin. "If you could paint a picture of where you would like to go as a crew chief to give it a shot to win and compete for a championship, this is it. I am also excited about the backing of the engineering department at Roush and the resources they offer. The fact that Greg Biffle is the driver was a factor that weighed heavily on my decision. He is a straight forward kind of guy and I look forward to working with him." Chris Andrews, current Engineering Manager at Roush Fenway Racing, will serve as interim crew chief for Greg Biffle and the #16 Dish Network Nextel Cup entry this weekend. Erwin will serve as an advisor on the pit box during Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 before officially taking over crew chief duties on Tuesday, May
29th.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(5-23-2007)
Biffle working on contract with Roush: from a transcript:
Q) There's been a Lot of Talk about Your Contract. How Would You Like To See This Play Out?
A-Biffle) “...we’re negotiating with Roush on getting the extension done. We’ve got a couple of sponsors on the table that want to come over and be on our race car, and there are other teams that have shown interest in me coming and driving their car. So, I’m pretty sure I’m staying at Roush. The negotiations are going well. I don’t see a reason why I’d be out talking to anybody else at this point, or at least entertaining those ideas until I feel like I’ve gone as far as I can with Roush, we can’t come to terms.”
Q) Do you feel like you'll get this Done This Year? Geoff Smith Said It Could Be This Year or Next Year?
A-Biffle) “If we don’t get it done this year, I’ll be announcing where I’m going to be driving in the future.”
Q)How Close Are You to Getting A Deal Done? There's An Understanding That Geoff Smith Sent You Some Specifics in the Last 10 Or 12 Days on What He Has To Offer, And He Was Waiting For You To Get Back With Him.
A-Biffle) “You’re right; we just got some information last week, and I think that we’re going to discuss the terms with them this week. In fact, I was just talking to somebody today before I came in here, ironically enough. That was their first, preliminary offer – this many appearances, this whatever, all the necessary stuff in there. So, we’re just in the beginning stages of negotiating a deal through 2012, or something. So, we’re not close at all about having a deal done. At least 60 days, I would say, have to guess, by the time we back and forth a couple of times. I let somebody kind of handle that for me because I don’t want it to distract me from what my job is and my job is to go over there and drive that car in a half hour and try and be the best I can. That’s what I focus on, and I don’t worry about the rest of it. I don’t have any reason to believe that we’re not going to be able to do the deal with them.”(Ford Racing)(5-8-2007)
Teams after Biffle for 2008 UPDATE: By disclosing that Roush Fenway Racing is re-negotiating its contract with #16-Greg Biffle, team president Geoff Smith may have indirectly increased the driver's value. Biffle told ESPN.com Friday that Smith's comment has produced intrigue in the Nextel Cup garage regarding the driver's contract status. He is an elite driving talent. Teams are calling. "The biggest thing that's been a bit of a deterrent for me is that Geoff Smith put in the paper that we're negotiating -- Roush and Greg Biffle -- an extension," Biffle said. "And in my eyes there was no reason for that. I'm under contract." Biffle is under contract with Roush Fenway through the end of the 2008 season. But when the sponsor of the #16 Ford, AmeriQuest, told Roush it would like to terminate its contract at the end of the year, and that Roush should seek alternative sponsorship, it created a bit of an issue for the team. Biffle described the difficulty in getting a three-year sponsor commitment based on a driver that has just one year left on his deal as all but impossible. Roush Fenway Racing wants to lock Biffle up to a longer-term contract, to ensure potential sponsors he'll be there for the duration of the relationship. Biffle said that lead executives from some other teams to believe his contract was up at the end of the current season, rather than next year's. "So now I've got all these teams that are looking to add a team or a driver calling me," Biffle said. "Not every team, but there's been a few because of that quote." Biffle said he wants to remain at Roush Fenway, and echoed Smith's sentiment that the team has its pick of potential sponsors.(ESPN.com)(4-29-2007)
UPDATE: Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith said Sunday that rumors that #16-Greg Biffle’s name would come up with Silly Season couldn’t be avoided, given that the team is simultaneously trying to sign a new sponsor to replace Ameriquest and at the same time sign Biffle beyond the end of 2008, when his current deal expires. The situation is a classic catch-22: Potential sponsors want drivers signed to long-term deals before they’ll commit, and drivers want to know a sponsor is in place to pay the bills before they sign on for another tour of duty. “When you go out in public to request a sponsor, you have to tell the sponsor how long the term is,” Smith said. “And so it was inevitable, always inevitable, that the moment the word got out in any fashion that we were looking for a three-year deal for a sponsor, that it would trigger the questions back to the driver. The fact that it made it a little bit awkward for Greg … it just puts him back into the marketplace again. There wasn’t anything I could do about that. It was inevitable. You just have to go say what is and move through it as fast as you can.” Smith said he was optimistic about keeping Biffle in the Roush fold, though he was unsure if the deal would get done this year or next. “Whether or not the contract is extended is Greg’s decision, and he’ll let us know,” Smith said. “If he wants to sit for another year, or wants to do it now … we can have a sponsorship now without any issue. When Greg gets done reviewing the deal, we’ll see.”(Ford Racing)(5-2-2007)
Roush hopes to complete separation deal with Ameriquest soon: Roush Racing officials are in talks with Ameriquest to finish a separation arrangement. Ameriquest had requested to be replaced as sponsor of Greg Biffle's #16 car this season. That could be completed by Darlington in two weeks.(Roanoke Times)4-30-2007)
NAPA looking? UPDATE 2 denied hearing that NAPA Auto Parts is looking at options for their sponsorship in the Nextel Cup Series. NAPA has been the sponsor for Michael Waltrip in the Cup Series since 2001, first with the #15 DEI Chevy, then since 2006 on the #55 car. Supposedly NAPA is talking to Richard Childress Racing (RCR) as a possible replacement sponsor for Cingular, should AT&T not win its lawsuit against NASCAR to have the AT&T decals put on the #31 Chevy AND with Roush Fenway Racing as a sponsor for the #16 Ford Greg Biffle drives. Current sponsor Ameriquest has opted out of the sponsorship after the 2007 season.(4-25-2007)
UPDATE: been told there is no truth to the rumor that RCR is in contact with NAPA regarding sponsorship for the #31.(RCR)(4-27-2007)
UPDATE 2: Michael Waltrip knows that his team needs to overcome its struggles this season, but he is disputing published reports that his #55 Toyota sponsor, NAPA, is exploring options elsewhere. "NAPA has ... had a lot of trials and tribulations; they've been really very supportive of getting this whole thing turned around. ...," Waltrip said Friday morning at Talladega Superspeedway. "This is the first year. I read on the Internet that NAPA was looking. They are; they're looking for us to do a better job."(SceneDaily.com)(4-27-2007)
Biffle could be looking? #16-Greg Biffle's future is up in the air after the decision of sponsor Ameriquest, a retail-mortgage company, to drop out of the sport at the end of the season. Biffle's contract with car owner Jack Roush runs through the end of 2008, so Geoff Smith, the head of Roush Racing, said he wants to negotiate a new, longer term contract with Biffle, in order to get leverage to sign a new sponsor. However a possible complicating factor is NASCAR's looming limit on the number of Nextel Cup teams that any one car owner can have. In 2009, Roush will have to cut his five-team roster to four. So which of Roush's five drivers - Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Jamie McMurray, or David Ragan - will have to move? If Smith can get Biffle to sign, that could put him in the driver's seat for sponsorship with the top open man in the series.(Winston Salem Journal)(4-16-2007)
3M scheme for Biffle at Texas: This weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, #16-Greg Biffle will run a multi-colored 3M
paint scheme with Ameriquest on the hood of his Roush Racing Ford.(Roush Racing)(4-13-2007)
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Carl Edwards' Busch Win is Roush Fenway's 350th Overall: Carl Edwards drove the #60 Dish Network Ford home to his second Busch Series win of the 2007 season in Nashville over the weekend and at the same time, hit a milestone for Roush Fenway Racing. Edwards' second consecutive win gave Roush Fenway their 350th overall win. Of the 350 wins Jack Roush has obtained, 234 of them have been wins in NASCAR's three elite series (Nextel Cup - 101; Busch Series - 90; Craftsman Truck Series - 43). Of the 101 Nextel Cup wins, 96 of them have been point races while the other five have come from wins in the Bud Shootout (1), The Winston (1), The Winston Open (1) and the Nextel All-Star Challenge (2). In the Busch and Truck Series, Roush Fenway's 90 and 43 wins respectively, make Roush the most winning owner of any other owner in both of those series. In addition to the 234 wins, Roush has also collected 116 road racing victories bringing Roush Fenway Racing's win column total to 350.(Roush Fenway PR)(4-9-2007)
Chevy off to Fast Start in 2007; Biffle Says It's Tough for Ford to Catch Up: If the Chase were to begin today, the field of contenders would include three Ford cars - and nine Chevys. That's in part due to the Hendrick domination in Car of Tomorrow contests, as well as Richard Childress Racing's strong season that has three cars in the top 10 to this point. And #16-Greg Biffle isn't sure if he and his friends with Fords can close the gap. "To be honest with you, Chevy has been ahead of us for probably the last year, or last year and a half, since 2005," said the Roush Fenway racer. "Three and four of the Chevys were a little bit ahead of us. We managed to win championships in (2003 and 2004) as a manufacturer, but really competitive-wise they were better than us. We were probably the best in 2005 as a manufacturer, and then in '06 and '07, Chevy is back on top, where they've been most of the time. And it's not really a surprise to us to see them running as well as they are. They've got a bunch of great teams, Gibbs, Hendrick, Childress, just off the top, are very, very strong race teams." Ford, meanwhile, is carried by the Roush group, which teams with Robert Yates Racing for its engines. That limits the amount of information being shared, and, resultingly, limits the speed of progress.(Concord Monitor)(4-9-2007)
Roush Not Gloating Over Toyota's Woes: After all the buildup from Detroit rivals about the Toyota monster crushing NASCAR competition, the season so far has seen quite the opposite, with most Toyota teams struggling just to make the fields. But [Jack] Roush isn't backing away from his quite vocal worries. "I'm not going to gloat over what's happened, or take any glee in it," Roush said, "because it's hard to start a new program, around new people and new drivers and a new manufacturer. And this year's hardware issues (like the car of tomorrow) make it triple tough. I didn't expect Toyota to be a factor early on. But the comments I've made were not based on what I looked for in the first half of 2007, or even all of 2007, but rather 2008, 2009 and beyond will be a very good time for Toyota, if they continue to have the money they now have available to get the people and technologies. Toyota will get it right ... and they will put the rest of us in the back, unless NASCAR is vigilant in its effort to protect against unlimited amounts of money coming into this sport and buying everything of value from the existing teams. If Toyota can do that, there will be an upset the likes of which we have never seen. Right now the good news for the established teams is that the good drivers have all been under contract, and the good crew chiefs and the best crewmen have not been willing to take a chance on an upstart team or a new program. But as time goes on, as the Toyota teams get their legs under them and start to consistently qualify, the more those people who have the talents to make a difference in the programs will be inclined to consider the generous offers they've made- offers that will escalate as time goes on."(Winston-Salem Journal)(4-8-2007)
Biffle contract extension possible with new sponsor With Roush Fenway Racing looking for a sponsor for Greg Biffle and the #16 team next season, the team might end up negotiating more than just a sponsor contract. Biffle's contract ends in 2008, and Ameriquest has asked to be released from its sponsorship agreement at the end of the season. Team president Geoff Smith said April 1 that he would like to couple a new sponsor agreement with a contract extension for Biffle. "Greg and I, we've talked and we're going to try to make a better opportunity out of this," Smith said. "It's in all of our best interests to be able to make a longer-term offering. We've got some sponsor interest from some real high-quality companies. That would be the best scenario for both of us." Smith said the market for sponsors is good because the economy is on the upswing and many teams are solid in their deals for 2008. "Most of the big programs are sold out for next year," Smith said. "It's not like you're sitting here and all top-10 quality drivers are looking for sponsorship next year."
This also will be the first Cup sponsorship that will be negotiated by Smith under the new Roush Fenway banner as Fenway Sports Group (operated by Red Sox owner John Henry) bought half the team in January. Smith said that the Fenway Sports Group has people who can make a run at prospective sponsors. "Fenway Sports Group has the capacity to double and triple our marketing network in short bursts," Smith said.(SceneDaily.com)(4-2-2007)
Why no penalty for Biffle? Nextel Cup Series Director John Darby said Greg Biffle's #16 Ford Fusion wasn't penalized for being low at Bristol Motor Speedway in part because NASCAR doesn't have a rule for minimum rear height except at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. There are requirements for minimum heights at other tracks but no set penalties for violators [Jayski Note: but many have been penalized for cars too low]. Biffle's fifth-place car was whisked to the NASCAR R&D Center because it measured lower than in prerace inspection, but officials found nothing improper after scouring the car Monday. NASCAR will allow a quarter-inch more tolerance on minimum height at Martinsville. "We will need a minimum height down the road," Darby said. "Right now, we don't need where we or the teams need it to be."(USA Today)(3-31-2007)
Biffle will not face discipline for car height: NASCAR will not penalize Greg Biffle's #16 team, despite the fact his Ford was found to be too low in post-race inspection at Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR vice president for competition Robin Pemberton said Wednesday. NASCAR has scheduled a news conference for Friday morning at Martinsville Speedway to explain their reasoning in detail.
NASCAR took the #16 car back to its research and development center Sunday night after the Food City 500 and gave it a thorough inspection Monday. Officials determined that no unapproved adjustments had been made to the car, so NASCAR cleared the machine and returned it to Roush-Fenway Racing on Monday afternoon. The 2007 season began with a new, less tolerant approach toward rules violators, prompting many to suspect that Biffle and his team would receive a stiff penalty following the Bristol mishap. But NASCAR officials said the Car of Tomorrow is a work in progress, and that they anticipated the cars would lose some height during the race at Bristol. Officials ran eight cars through the height sticks during post-race inspection, and Biffle's was the only one that came back too low. Before making any permanent changes, NASCAR said it will likely make some rules adjustments in the future that benefit everyone.(ESPN.com)(3-28-2007)
#16 declared too low after Bristol race: UPDATE: No penalty announcement this week? #16-Greg Biffle's team faces penalties after his car failed post-race inspection following a fifth-place finish. Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president for competition, said the car was too low. Pemberton would not speculate on the penalty, which could include a fine and points deduction, saying inspectors wanted to go over the car completely at the R&D Center in Concord, N.C., before a ruling is made. Biffle's car, as well as the #5 of winner Kyle Busch, were taken to Concord as a part of what will be a routine process as NASCAR implements the Car of Tomorrow this season. Pemberton said Busch would have the car back in time for Martinsville. That was good news to crew chief Alan Gustafson, who plans to use the car as a backup next week.(ESPN.com)(3-25-2007)
UPDATE: From Larry McReynolds' column at FoxSports.com: "Don't expect to see a decision handed down this week against Greg Biffle and the #16 Roush Fenway Racing Nextel Cup team because a rear quarterpanel was low, and that's not something a team would want to have at Bristol. NASCAR can't figure out how it would be a performance enhancement. I don't look for any penalties this week. You're going to probably see something next week as this scenario is another part of the learning process with the Car of Tomorrow.(FoxSports.com)(3-27-2007)
Roush Fenway must lose team by 2010 UPDATE losing Ameriquest after 2007: Roush Fenway Racing will have to decrease its number of Nextel Cup teams from five to four by the start of the 2010 season, team president Geoff Smith said Saturday. NASCAR announced in 2005 that it would limit organizations to four fulltime Cup teams and that it would work with Roush to get down from four to five. Originally, the agreement was that once Roush lost a sponsor and driver at the same time, it would have to get down to four. "That [original discussion] triggered a loop that made the shrinkage date unpredictable, so it was [changed to] very simply, when the 2010 season starts, you'll have four," Smith said. "We have to be at four at the start of 2010, regardless of what happens to us in the interim, if we lose a driver, lose a sponsor." Smith indicated that his contracts are solid through the 2009 season. He also said in the perfect world, Roush would sell one of the teams. "We've got three more years to sell one of our teams off," Smith said. "Hopefully, we can retain some business with that sale."(SceneDaily.com)(3-24-2007)
UPDATE: Changes are on the way at Roush Fenway Racing, which is losing one primary sponsor after this season and has been ordered by NASCAR to drop one of its five Nextel Cup teams by 2010. Ameriquest, the mortgage company that became the primary sponsor of Greg Biffle's #16 car this season, has asked Roush Fenway to sell off the final two years of its contract, which expires in 2009. The lender's struggling parent company recently announced a second round of layoffs, and Ameriquest last week pulled out of a 30-year deal as rights holder to the name of the Texas Rangers' ballpark. "It's very clear that they want to reduce their contract exposure to us," Roush Fenway president Geoff Smith said Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway. "If we weren't able to do that, then you get into, OK, here's your car, what are we going to do with it? You've got this lame duck environment going on, which is not helpful to anybody. So in practical terms, we can assume that we'll have another sponsor for next season." Smith doesn't anticipate any difficulties in finding a new sponsor, especially given that Roush Fenway has nearly an entire season to search. Roush Fenway also has until the 2010 season to comply with NASCAR's maximum of four cars per organization, announced by the sanctioning body in 2005. The car cap was put in place after all five Roush cars qualified for the Chase for the Nextel Cup championship. "There's no mistaking our understanding of what we have to do," Smith said. "Regardless of what goes on within our programs, we have to go to four [cars] in 2010."(NASCAR.com)(3-25-2007)
Jackson Hewitt scheme for Biffle at Atlanta: This weekend at Atlanta, #16-Greg Biffle will run a black and red Jackson Hewitt paint scheme.(Roush Racing PR), see image of a the scheme on my #16 Team Schemes page.(3-15-2007)
Wrestling's Goldberg to serve on Biffle's crew at Vegas: On Sunday, March 11, former wrestling champion Bill Goldberg will go from the squared circle to the 1.5-mile oval track of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Goldberg, a die-hard motorsports fan, will serve as an honorary member of Nextel Cup driver Greg Biffle's #16 Ameriquest Ford pit crew for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. Goldberg, a devoted car enthusiast, will also be in Las Vegas to promote his new Spike TV show Bullrun. The taped ten-episode reality show premieres March 13 at 10:00pm/et. Bullrun, based on the same-named international automotive rally, features 12 teams of two drivers who use their own cars in a rally that takes them across America on a 4,000-mile journey. Spike TV is available in 90 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc.(PR)(3-6-2007)
Roush Fenway Racing owner gives MLB player a...Toyota: [Boston Red Sox slugger David] Ortiz got his own present Wednesday morning. Arriving at the Red Sox minor league facility for his physical, Ortiz was greeted with a Toyota Tundra pickup, courtesy of owner John W. Henry......why is this of interest? Red Sox owner John Henry is Jack Roush's new partner at Roush-Fenway Racing, they run Ford Fusion's and Jack Roush has spoken out against Toyota's involvement in NASCAR.....oops.(Heads up at Motorsports Soapbox, full article at the Hartford Courant)(2-26-2007)
Gulf Oil shows interest in Roush-Fenway: Roush Racing's 50-50 partnership with John Henry's Fenway Sports Group, finally announced last week at Daytona International Speedway, might show an immediate return. One of the Boston Red Sox's longtime partners, Gulf Oil, has expressed an interest in a sponsorship position with Roush. Gulf, a Fenway Sports Group client based in Chelsea, Mass., distributes motor fuels and lubricants in about 2,600 branded gas stations, with a footprint that extends from Ohio to the east and Delaware to the north. The company's 65-foot logo is painted on the left-field wall at Fenway Park. "NASCAR really never made sense for us before because it is a national play and we're a regional company," said Richard Dery, Gulf's vice president of branded marketing and sales. "A race at Daytona doesn't do us a lot of good, but a race at Loudon, N.H. -- that could be a really fun day." Dery said his discussions with Roush have involved sponsorships for select races in Gulf's footprint, primarily the July 1 Lenox 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Gulf also could become the official motor oil of Roush Fenway Racing. Fenway Sports Group and the Red Sox are sister companies, both owned by John Henry, who said he hoped the partnership with Roush would vault FSG into a prominent position in sports marketing.(Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service)(2-23-2007)
Roush Racing & Fenway Sports Group partner up: Today, during Speedweeks in Daytona Beach, Fla., Roush Racing and Fenway Sports Group (FSG) announced the formation of Roush Fenway Racing. Under the agreement, FSG will purchase 50% of
Roush Racing to form the new entity. Jack Roush will continue to manage the competitive operations of the race teams and Geoff Smith will continue as president to oversee business activities. FSG will support Roush Fenway Racing’s marketing and sales activities by using their experience, network of relationships, and powerful demographic base to add value to Roush Fenway Racing sponsors and help Roush Fenway Racing maintain an unsurpassed position among NASCAR teams on and off the track.
“This partnership will bring a whole new perspective to our business,” said Jack Roush. “There is a lot of hard work that goes into being successful in sport. John Henry and FSG understand what it takes. Anybody that has watched the Red Sox has been impressed with their tenacity and their ability to prevail after all the frustration. To be able to have someone to bounce ideas and strategies off of will be fun. Everyone at Roush Racing is excited to welcome our new partner and we look forward to our success together.”
“This is an unprecedented partnership of two extremely successful organizations with proven track records for winning in their respective businesses and sports,” said Mike Dee, chief operating officer of the Boston Red Sox and president of Fenway Sports Group. “We believe in NASCAR and like its long-term business future and are thrilled to be a part of this exciting and growing industry.”
The new Roush Fenway Racing logo will make its track debut at Daytona International Speedway beginning Thursday, February 15 during the Gatorade 150 qualifying races. All of Roush Fenway Racing’s 13 teams will be competing throughout the weekend.
Off the track, the Roush Fenway Racing focus will be to continue to service its world-class sponsorship base which includes such great companies as; DeWalt Power Tools, Diageo (Crown Royal), AAA, Office Depot, Ameriquest Mortgage Company, 3M, Ford Motor Company, Northern Tool + Equipment, Dish Network, Discount Tire and Coca Cola, whose sponsorships Roush supports with public relations, licensing, event marketing and account management services.
Geoff Smith summed up the overall goal by saying, “We wholeheartedly believe that the addition of FSG, and the incorporation of its expertise and demographic power will insure that Roush Fenway Racing will indefinitely preserve our pre-eminent position among NASCAR teams both on and off the track.” FSG’s core strengths include property representation and acquisitions, entertainment marketing, sponsorships and consulting services. For more information please visit FenwaySportsGroup.com.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(2-14-2007)
Fenway Sports Group/Roush deal completed, announced the 14th: A group of investors led by Boston Red Sox owner John Henry has completed a deal to buy a 50% stake in the Roush Racing NASCAR team, a person familiar with the negotiations said Friday. Although team owner Jack Roush is selling half of the team to the Fenway Sports Group, Roush will continue to run the team's competitive operations, according to the person, who requested anonymity because the deal hasn't been announced. Both parties have scheduled a Feb. 14 news conference at Jackie Robinson Ballpark [105 E. Orange Ave., Daytona Beach], a minor league facility near Daytona International Speedway. Roush, who was wearing his trademark fedora as he supervised his drivers at Daytona International Speedway on Friday evening, declined comment.(Associated Press)
also Roush Racing announced a major announcement with Roush Racing and Fenway Sports Group (FSG) executives; Red Sox
players and Roush Racing drivers on Wednesday, February 14 at 5:30pm/et(Roush Racing PR)(2-10-2007)
Martin to run two Busch races for Roush UPDATE DISH Network to sponsor Biffle in Cup...more: on Sirius Satellite Radio's Driver Seat show with John Kernan and Buddy Baker, multi-team owner Jack Roush was interviewed and said he and Mark Martin are still great friends and that Martin will run a couple of Busch Series races for Roush in a Ford. There had been rumors and a PR a month ago that Martin would run some Busch races for Roush for DISH Network. There is an image of the #26 DISH Network Busch Series Ford on my Busch Paint Schemes page, taken during the media tour in Charlotte last week.(1-31-2007)
UPDATE: DISH Network will sponsor a Roush Racing driver/car in all 35 Busch Series races. Martin will run the #06 DISH Network Ford at Daytona in Feb. and Texas in April. Eight other drivers will run the DISH Network colors the other 33 races. #17-Matt Kenseth (5 races), #26-Jamie McMurray (9), #60-Carl Edwards (10), #17-Michel Jourdain (3), #26-Greg Biffle (2), #26-Todd Kluever (2), #17-Danny O'Quinn (1), #26-Erik Darnell (1)
PLUS #16-Greg Biffle is scheduled to run DISH Network on the #16 Nextel Cup Ford in five races: Daytona in Feb, Martinsville in April, Richmond in May, Dover in June and Pocono in June.(2-2-2007)
Oreo to sponsor Biffle in the Busch Series? looks like Greg Biffle will drive the #26 Oreo Ford in at least one race in the Busch Series as the have been commercials on TV showing Biffle and the #26 Ford with a Busch decal on the car and in an Orea Driver suit but with a Nextel Cup patch. Jamie McMurray is scheduled to run the #26 Ford in the Busch Series with the Dish Network as the sponsor for a few races. Biffle will also run some Busch races in the #16 Ford, sharing the ride with Todd Kluever; and the #37 Ford of Brewco Motorsports for some races.(1-30-2007)
Negotiations progressing between Roush and Red Sox owner UPDATE 2: The negotiations in the sale of a portion of Roush Racing to Boston Red Sox owner John Henry's Fenway Sports Group are progressing well, Roush Racing President Geoff Smith said Saturday. Many of the major points have been agreed upon since the negotiations began in earnest in September. "The big principal points, that's all buttoned up," Smith said. "I think by the first of the year, we'll [know]. We're going along pretty fast. By Daytona for sure." One of those pieces involves what percentage of the racing organization the Fenway Sports Group will own. Jack Roush will not relinquish control of the team. "We have been open to being all the way up to equal [partners], but not more than equal [for them],"(SceneDaily.com)(11-19-2006)
UPDATE: the [Red] Sox deal for a half-interest in Roush Racing, the class of NASCAR racing, is done. Reported price: $62 million. Formal announcement to follow.(at the bottom of a Boston Globe article)(1-5-2007)
UPDATE 2: Jack Roush says his deal with the Fenway Sports Group is not complete, but his Roush Racing team has scheduled a "BIG" announcement Feb. 14 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach. That would be an appropriate place for Roush to announce that he has partnered with FSG, the marketing arm of Boston Red Sox owner John Henry. Roush said the contracts are in the hands of the lawyers, and he would expect a decision by the end of March. He indicated that there could be a name change to the team. FSG has been negotiating with Roush for about the last five or six months. Roush said FSG's ownership role could be anywhere from 25 to 50%.(SceneDaily.com)(1-24-2007)
Another Hero chosen in Jackson Hewitt National Guard promotion: Sergeant First Class (SFC) Todd M. Tilkens, of Bravo Company 2/127th in Green Bay, Wisconsin, has been chosen as an honoree in the Jackson Hewitt National Guard "Heroes of the Year" campaign. Sponsored by Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, an industry leader providing full service individual federal and state income tax preparation, this year-long campaign recognized National Guard soldiers, families and even employers around the country who have made a difference in their states or on foreign shores. In his nearly twenty years of working with the National Guard, SFC Tilkens has held a variety of duties within the community and abroad. He has recently returned home from Kuwait, where he assisted in escorting convoys as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following the 9-11 attacks, he volunteered at the local airport working with security teams. On a local level, he has made the streets of Green Bay safer for trick-or-treating children as a volunteer working to patrol neighborhoods on Halloween. When not on active duty, he works for Moore Wallace, an RR Donnelley Company, as a printing press operator. He lives in Green Bay with his wife, Teresa, who nominated him, and his children.
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, in partnership with the Army National Guard, launched the Jackson Hewitt National Guard "Heroes of the Year" campaign in early 2006 as a unique opportunity for people across the county to nominate a loved one, friend or neighbor who serves in the Army National Guard. This program recognizes the efforts of the thousands of Guardsmen and women - as well as families and employers - who are making a difference within our communities and abroad.
Ten monthly honorees have been chosen, and Jackson Hewitt will soon announce the grand prize winner, who will have the opportunity of a lifetime - to have their image featured on a NASCAR race car [supposedly #16 Greg Biffle as seen on supporttheguard.com but National Guard is now on the #25 and Casey Mears] that will be raced at a 2007 Nextel Cup Series Race in February [that would be Daytona or California]. This is the first time that a non-celebrity's image will be featured on a NASCAR race car. In addition to spotlighting soldiers, the campaign also recognized families and employers who show exceptional support for, and service to, the core mission and values of the National Guard. To view the soldiers, families and employers who have been nominated for their dedication to and support of the National Guard's mission, visit www.supporttheguard.com. In each case, monthly nominees were selected based on service to their community, their support of the values of the National Guard and the unique ways they have enhanced their lives and the lives of those around them through their affiliation with the Guard.(Yahoo Biz)(1-21-2007)
Biffle to test the COT at the Rock: #16-Greg Biffle will test the COT [Car of Tomorrow] at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, NC on Thursday, Jan 18th.(NASCAR Transcript)(1-11-2007)
Past 2006 News
Congrats: over the Christmas holiday, Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 Ford for Roush Racing got engaged to longtime girlfriend Nicole Lunders. No date has been set.(12-30-2006)
Hero of the Year to be announced in January, featured on a car: For the first time, a non-celebrity's image will be featured on a NASCAR race car that will be raced in the 2007 Nextel Cup Series. The national award winner will be featured on Greg Biffle's #16 NASCAR race car [or it could be #25 Casey Mears as the National Guard sponsorship will move to the #25 in 2007] and will be a VIP guest trackside at a race during the 2007 season. To nominate a hero of the National Guard, military family or employer, visit www.support theguard.com.
The award is co-sponsored by the Army National Guard and Jackson Hewitt as a part of their National Guard Heroes of the Year campaign.(Biloxi Sun Herald)(12-20-2006)
Biffle talks about Las Vegas testing wreck Part II: #16-Greg Biffle will soon begin rehabbing the right shoulder he dislocated when he had a tire blow at Las Vegas last week when he was doing a Goodyear test with Kyle Busch. "They said it looks good. They did the MRI on it and they saw that it was dislocated off the back. I´ve had front dislocations from wrestling and stuff like that so I´ve had a bad shoulder so this just added to the problem. There are some corrective surgeries that a person can do and I´ve elected not to do any of those in the past, but possibly I may look at doing something at the end of this (2007) season. It´s definitely going to be fine to drive, I probably could drive now if I absolutely had to but certainly I´ll feel better in two or three more weeks. "Thursday was the first night I had my sling off. So, probably in about three or four more days I´ll start some rehabilitating stuff like pulling on rubber bands. There are four muscles that hold your shoulder in the socket and those are all stretched out so the best thing to do is get those strengthened before you start lifting weights or anything else."(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(12-15-2006)
Biffle talks about Las Vegas testing wreck: #16-Greg Biffle is among the walking wounded these days after seperating his shoulder last week at a Las Vegas, crashing during a Goodyear tire test. Biffle doesn't remember anything. "I don´t know what happened. The guys heard the tire blow in the pits, in the garage. Boom!, they heard it. Then four seconds later they heard it hit the fence and I went all the way around the corner unconscious before I woke up. I woke up on the backstretch...I crashed in turn one you know so it was big. We don´t know what happened to the tire, they´ re obviously looking at it. Did it cut, did we run over something on the racetrack, did the tire fail? You just don´t know. Problem is with issues like that when they blow out and hit the fence and they catch on fire there´s nothing left to inspect. The right rear tire looks fine and all the left side tires look good, so we don´t know. You can´t blame the tire until you really analyze what might have happened."(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(12-14-2006)
Dish Network Sponsoring Roush - 5 Cup races for Biffle, Mark Martin to Drive 2 Busch Races: Roush Racing announced today that Dish Network has signed on as a primary sponsor in the Busch Series and the Nextel Cup Series, with additional status as an associate sponsor on all Roush entries. Dish Network will have a team representative in all 35 Busch Races in 2007, alternating between four Roush Busch teams. Greg Biffle will drive the #16 DISH Network Ford in five Nextel Cup races in 2007, the first of which will be at Pocono in June. When Dish Network is not featured as a primary sponsor, they will appear on each NEXTEL Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series entry as an associate sponsor. Mark Martin will kick off the season for Dish Network in the February Daytona Busch race. Martin will be behind the wheel of the Dish Network Ford twice in 2007, the second of which will be the spring Texas race. The remaining "Dish All-Stars" will split time behind the wheel throughout the season. (American Digital Networks)(12-11-2006)
NOTE: David Ragan will drive the #6 for Roush in Cup. Martin will drive the #01 in 20 Cup races for Ginn. Martin said he could run for as many as four different teams next season in the Cup, Busch and Truck Series.(12-11-2006)
Crash cuts Goodyear test short for Biffle at Vegas UPDATE Biffle injured: Testing tires is pretty boring stuff for most drivers, but this week's two-day Goodyear test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway left Kyle Busch excited and Greg Biffle with a headache. The two drivers spent Wednesday and Thursday testing tires to help the tire manufacturer find the proper tire combination for the new 20-degree banking at LVMS. It will determine which tires Goodyear brings back for the NASCAR-sanctioned test Jan. 29-30 as well as for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup event on March 11. "There are a lot of neat characteristics to the track," said Busch, a Las Vegas native. "It's still pretty wide and a great racing surface. It's wide enough that we'll be able to run two and three wide. The transitions from the corner to the straightaways and then the straightaways to the corners are awesome. It's a great layout." Biffle said Wednesday that he is looking forward to racing on the new layout. But his test ended early on Thursday when he made hard contact with the wall between turns one and two. The impact knocked the fuel pump off the car and made for a fiery scene. Busch, who was closely following Biffle, helped the veteran driver from his car. Biffle wasn't injured, but decided to discontinue testing for the day. "That was a really hard hit and we lost a good car," Biffle said. "But I'm O.K." Unofficially, the drivers were clocked at speeds near 187 miles per hour, but Biffle said that may pick up to closer to 190 once the Nextel Cup teams start qualifying in March. Kasey Kahne holds the track qualifying record of 174.904 mph set in 2004. Tickets for the March 9-11 NASCAR Weekend are on sale by calling 1-800-644-4444 or by logging on to www.lvms.co. Passes for the new Neon Garage and pre-race activities passes also are available through the ticket office.(LVMS PR)(12-8-2006)
UPDATE: Statement from Greg Biffle Regarding On-Track Incident At Vegas Test: "During a tire test this week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway I cut a right front tire and made heavy contact with the wall. As a result of the incident, I dislocated my shoulder and have been advised by my doctors to remain in Mooresville [NC] today for further assessment of the injury. It is for that reason that I will be unable to attend this year's NASCAR Busch Series Banquet. I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to NASCAR, the Busch Series and Ameriquest for my absence. It was a privilege and a great pleasure for me to continue to be a competitor for Roush Racing, Ameriquest, Brewco Motorsports and Ford Motor Company in NASCAR's Busch Series this season. I love racing in the Busch Series and I plan to continue to do so for many years."(Roush Racing PR)(12-9-2006)
Biffle wins at Homestead: #16-Greg Biffle won the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway for his 3rd straight win at Homestead, 2nd of 2006 and 11th of his career in a green-white-checkered finish [1 extra lap]. #48-Jimmie Johnson finished 9th and won the 2006 Nextel Cup Series Championship, his first ever in his 5th season. #9-Kasey Kahne led the most laps with 90 of 268. #1-Martin Truex Jr finished his career best 2nd, followed by #11-Hamlin, #9-Kahne, #29-Harvick, #17-Kenseth, #10-Riggs, #99-Edwards, #48-Johnson and #07-Bowyer. There were 11 cautions for 43 laps [and a 9 minute red flag during the 10th caution for Montoya's fire] and 10 drivers lead the race with 15 lead changes.
Race Results on my Homestead Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Homestead page
Race Rundown: see my Homestead Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race penalties, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(11-19-2006)
Sponsor changes at the #25 and #16? UPDATE 5 OFFICIAL: hearing National Guard could end up being the sponsor, either whole or in part, of the #25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy that Casey Mears will drive in 2007. No word if current #25 primary sponsor, GMAC, stays as a co-sponsor or would leave the team. National Guard currently sponsors the #16 Roush Racing Ford of Greg Biffle, supposedly Subway could step up full time or be co-sponsors with Ameriquest [sponsors a slew of Roush Racing Busch cars] or 3M.(7-30-2006)
UPDATE: been told that Ameriquest has signed a multi-year deal with Roush Racing to sponsor the #16 Ford and Greg Biffle. As for the #25, GMAC will back in some form in 2006.(8-10-006)
UPDATE 2: been told the National Guard will move to the #25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy and will team up to co-sponsor the team with GMAC.(8-19-2006)
UPDATE 3 - Roush still waiting on National Guard: Roush Racing is still awaiting word on whether the National Guard will return as primary sponsor on the #16 Ford driven by Greg Biffle next year. "We don't have an indication on what they are going to do for next year," Roush Racing President Geoff Smith said Saturday. "That is being more closely maintained by them. Sometimes it's typically later in the year when they have all of their options decided." Even if the team loses that sponsorship, there are other sponsors to fill in the gaps. That car has had several sponsors, such as Subway, which have been the primary sponsor for select races in the past couple of years. "We're covered," Smith said. "It's only a question of how the car is going to be allocated among those sponsors."(SceneDaily.com)(8-28-2008)
UPDATE 4: Roush Racing will announce Sunday that Ameriquest Mortgage, currently a sponsor for Roush in the NASCAR Busch Series, will step up and take over as the primary sponsor of the #16 Nextel Cup Ford driven by Greg Biffle. Biffle's sponsor, the U.S. Army National Guard, will leave the organization.(Sporting News)(11-12-2006)
OFFICIAL: Ameriquest Mortgage Company, a national mortgage lender, announced today a partnership with Roush Racing to serve as the primary sponsor of the #16 race car driven by Greg Biffle for the 2007 Nextel Cup Series (NNCS) season. Biffle, the 2005 series runner-up, will sport the black and gold Ameriquest Racing colors on the #16 Ford Fusion for nearly the entire 36-race schedule.
Throughout the 2006 season, Ameriquest sponsored four of Roush's NASCAR Busch Series (NBS) teams, which includes drivers Biffle, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards. The Ameriquest Dream Team won five races in 2006. Ameriquest plans to activate its 2007 primary sponsorship with Roush Racing with a comprehensive marketing communications program, including on-line consumer
promotions and sweepstakes, dedicated NASCAR broadcast advertising, at-track / off-track mobile marketing, customer hospitality and on-going public relations. In addition, Ameriquest, proud sponsor of the American dream, will continue to be the official mortgage company of Roush Racing in 2007. For more information about Ameriquest Mortgage Company, visit www.ameriquest.com and Racing at ameriquestracing.com.(Alan Taylor PR), 3M will be the primary sponsor for 7 races on the #16 in 2007.(11-12-2006)
Biffle and Tryson To Team Up For 2007 Season; Fennig to the #6 UPDATE 2 McMurray?: Veteran crew chief Pat Tryson will be paired with Greg Biffle, driver of the Roush Racing #16 Nextel Cup Ford Fusion [no sponsor mentions, so far 3M has been announced] for the 2007 season. Tryson has been the crew chief for veteran driver Mark Martin for the past three seasons. Tryson is one of only three crew chiefs to lead his team to a position in the Chase for the Nextel Cup every year since its inception in 2004 and looks to continue that record with Biffle. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with Greg in 2007,” said Tryson. “Obviously our top priority for next season is getting Greg back in the Chase. He’s a great driver and I hope to continue my personal streak of making the Chase with him.”
“I’m looking forward to the 2007 season and working with Pat Tryson,” said Biffle. “I haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time with Pat but he’s had a good record with Mark in making the Chase three years in a row, so hopefully we won’t stop his streak next year.”(Roush Racing PR), no word on who will replace Tryson on the #6 Ford that rookie David Ragan will drive, other sponsors of the #16 car or plans for current #16 crew chief Doug Richert.(11-10-2006)
UPDATE: In a series of moves at Roush Racing, Jimmy Fennig will serve as rookie #6-David Ragan's Nextel Cup Series crew chief next season, with Pat Tryson moving over to lead #16-Greg Biffle's team. Doug Richert, Biffle's current crew chief, said Friday that he's not yet sure what he'll be doing next season. Richert offered no specifics about his future. "Not real sure," he said. "There's a lot of stuff going on, but nothing certain."(SceneDaily.com)(11-10-2006)
UPDATE 2: That leaves only Jamie McMurray without an assigned crew chief for 2007 yet. One tantalizing option for that ride could be Matt Borland, who’s sitting out the final two races of 2007 and might be leaving Penske Racing South. “I heard a rumor that he packed up his stuff and left,” Roush said of Borland. “If he were on the street, I’d be very interested in talking to him. If he’s under contract, I have no interest in him.”(SpeedTV.com)(11-11-2006)
New Nextel Cup GM for Roush: Max Jones, who has led the Craftsman Truck and Busch series programs at Roush Racing the past two years, was named general manager of the Nextel Cup program yesterday.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(11-6-2006)
3M to sponsor Biffle and Kluever in 2007: 3M Company and Roush Racing announced today that 3M will sponsor the #16 3M Ford Fusion in seven Nextel Cup races and the full Busch Series in 2007. Greg Biffle will represent 3M in the Nextel Cup Series and
will share driving responsibilities with Todd Kluever in the #16 3M Ford Fusion for the 2007 Busch Series. Biffle is scheduled to drive 19 Busch races for 3M in the 2007 season. Kluever will drive the remainder of the schedule, beginning with the season-opening race February 17th at Daytona International Speedway. Biffle drove the #16 3M Post-it Ford in nine Nextel Cup races in 2005, winning at California and Texas on his way to finishing second in the Nextel Cup Championship. In 2007, 3M will again activate its sponsorship through a comprehensive marketing communications programs on several levels throughout the year, including customer hospitality, product promotions and at-track marketing.(Roush Racing PR), so much for the rumors of Biffle going to the #88 RYR Ford in 2007.(11-3-2006)
Crew Chief Changes Planned at Roush Racing: Jack Roush confirmed Sunday that a multi-team, crew chief shakeup is in the works in his five-team Nextel Cup operation [#'s6,16,17,26,99], but he said he hasn't decided which crew chiefs to pair with which drivers, though veteran Jimmy Fennig "might be a good choice" for David Ragan [in the #6] next season. Will Wally Brown be back as #99-Carl Edwards' crew chief? "That's one of our dream-team packages," Roush said. "Wally Brown is one of my heroes; he's done a great job. But his dad, in Pennsylvania, isn't doing well, and Wally is missing his dad, and we've been talking, and Wally may have a change in venue, and in his career. If we lose Wally, it would be a huge loss."(Winston Salem Journal)(10-23-2006)
Biffle to RYR? There’s talk that Roush Racing and Robert Yates Racing might create a new team for Greg Biffle. The team would be Robert Yates’ third and would reduce to four the number of full-schedule Cup teams owned by Jack Roush.(Ford Racing)(10-14-2006)
Changes coming at the #16 team? #16-Greg Biffle knows the changes are coming to Roush Racing. What he doesn't know yet is exactly what they'll entail, and whether crew chief Doug Richert will be part of the personnel shuffle. Jack Roush said at Dover that changes would be made in the operation, but said Friday at Kansas Speedway that he's still in the process of determining what those moves will be. So Biffle and Richert can only wait to see what comes next. "I know that we're making some pretty major changes in our organization throughout," Biffle said. "Kind of reorganizing a lot of stuff and going to try and re-energize what we did in 2005, sharing a lot of information. Not saying we're not now, but trying to focus on that better and find out what works really good and then spread it company wide and then try to get everybody going that way." Biffle said it looks like he'll remain paired with Richert and that he hopes that's the case. Richert has served as Biffle's crew chief since August 2003.(SceneDaily.com)(10-1-2006)
More on the Roush Racing/Fenway Sports Group 'deal': Team owner Jack Roush said there is not yet an offer on the table from John Henry's Fenway Sports Group as the entity discusses buying into Roush Racing with team President Geoff Smith. Roush said Friday that he's not sure when the sides will next talk but added that's not out of the ordinary. "I don't do the money very well," Roush said with a smile at Dover International Speedway. "Right now, there are discussions going on. There's not a deal on the table. There may not be a deal that makes it to the table. What do I think the chances are that John Henry will become an investor in the Roush organization? On one day it looks like the glass is a little more than half full; on other days it looks like it's definitely [less] than half full. And I don't get a report every day on what's going on." Roush said talks are sometimes conducted via email, but added that several members of FSG were at the team's North Carolina shops prior to the race at New Hampshire. If an agreement is reached, Roush said he wouldn't sell more than 50 percent of the organization to Henry's FSG, which is a separate entity from the partnership that owns the Boston Red Sox. And he said this simply isn't a way to get around NASCAR's ownership rules, which will eventually limit him to fielding four full-time Nextel Cup Series teams. If an agreement were reached, Henry would be an investor in Roush Racing, not fielding teams under the Fenway Sports Group umbrella as a separate entity. "Our plan is to operate four NASCAR stock car racing teams past this decade," Roush said. "We think if I can spread my base and do an expanded marketing and sponsorship involvement program that would have a component of interest in the Northeast that we'd be stronger through that." Anyone thinking this is Roush's way of preparing to retire is mistaken according to the owner. "For anybody that thinks Jack is looking for a way to get off stage now, or in the foreseeable future or that retirement's my plan, just hide and watch [me]," he said. "I'm not going to retire. I'm not trying to back away from the races. I'm not trying to put somebody between me and the race teams. One of my challenges my managers have on the race teams is, 'How do we get Jack out of the way so we can do what we need to do.'"(SceneDaily.com)(9-23-2006)
Boston Red Sox owner in talks to buy part of Roush: While Roush Racing president Geoff Smith isn't sure where discussions with Boston Red Sox owner John Henry and his Fenway Sports Group will lead, he doesn't envision a scenario in which Jack Roush would relinquish control of the operation. Negotiations have been ongoing throughout the summer, Smith said late Tuesday afternoon. He's not sure what percentage of the team - which competes in all three of NASCAR's national series - could be sold, if any, but expects one thing to remain the same. "I can't see Jack Roush giving up control of Roush Racing," Smith said. "I don't see that as an outcome." Roush and Henry, who heads the NESV partnership, have been friends for several years, sparking occasional rumors that Henry was looking to buy into Roush Racing. In the past, though, Smith said the two sides were just discussing marketing possibilities, not a sale. The two were seen together on Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway and Roush Racing released a statement Tuesday that confirmed discussions about selling an interest in the team were ongoing.(in part from the SceneDaily.com)
AND: According to multiple executives briefed on the negotiations, Fenway Sports Group is in talks to buy as much as 50 percent of privately held Roush Racing, the class of NASCAR, for something north of $50 million. No deal is imminent, these executives cautioned, and the negotiations, which have started and stopped before, could still falter. Both the Fenway Sports Group and Roush Racing confirmed the talks, but both said there is no agreement. Geoff Smith, president of Roush Racing, called the Red Sox unit "attractive partners" because of its marketing capabilities, particularly in the Northeast. Said Mike Dee, president of Fenway Sports Group: "If these discussions are fruitful, we will be happy to talk about them."(in part from the Boston Globe)
AND II: “Roush Racing confirms,” said Geoff Smith president of Roush Racing, “It has entered into discussions to sell an interest in Roush Racing to Fenway Sports Group, Boston. Should these discussions ultimately materialize into a definitive agreement Roush Racing will provide further information on the topic.”(Roush Racing PR)(9-19-2006)
Pedigree to sponsor Biffle Foundation's 2007 Calander: The Greg Biffle Foundation launched its 2007 NASCAR Pet Calendar featuring 12 top NASCAR drivers and the most spoiled family members – their pets. Pedigree, the Official Pet Care Product of NASCAR, signed on as a sponsor for the 2007 calendar. Dogs, cats, horses, and even bunnies grace the pages of the 2007 calendar. In its second year, the 2006 NASCAR Pet Calendar was very popular with fans, making it the No.1 best-selling item on www.nascar.com. This year’s calendar has some returning veteran pet calendar models such as Greg Biffle, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Tony Stewart. The new faces of the 2007 calendar are Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Kyle Petty, Reed Sorenson, Martin Truex Jr., and Kenny Wallace. Pedigree, the Official Pet Care Product of NASCAR, is the first-ever sponsor of the calendar. Pedigree, like The Greg Biffle Foundation, is known for its dedication to animal welfare and is an advocate for pet adoption. This year’s calendar has some additional touches provided by Pedigree. Each month the calendar features a “Pedigree Tip of the Month” that provides valuable, helpful hints to keep fans’ pets safe and happy. The 2007 NASCAR Pet Calendars will be sold at major retailers such as: www.gregbifflefoundation.com, www.NASCAR.com, PetSmart, PETCO, Myers, Kmart (in select markets), Books-a-Million, Calendar Club (mall kiosks) and Pet Supplies Plus. The calendars will be in some retailers beginning in early July. Other retailers will begin carrying the calendar in the fall.(NASCAR PR)(6-24-2006)
The UPS Saga...up-in-the-air UPDATE 7 - denied to Roush: hearing UPS will leave the #88 Robert Yates Racing team and go to the #9 Evernham Dodge with driver Kasey Kahne.(6-8-2006)
UPDATE: On the sponsor front, sources in the garage indicate that UPS will be moving from #88 Robert Yates Racing to one of two teams in 2007, either the #9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne or the #16 Roush Racing Ford driven by Greg Biffle.(Speed Channel)(6-10-2006)
UPDATE 2: It appears UPS is still in play as a major sponsor. In the past two years the winner in the sponsor hunt has been Evernham Motorsports. UPS may add itself to the list of Evernham conquests signing as the primary sponsor of the #9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne. Then again, it is said the Dodge Dealers aren't willing to vacate their position on Kahne's ride. The dealers might be willing to let loose of the #19 driven by Jeremy Mayfield. However, it’s not clear Mayfield would be the driver of choice for UPS.(Circletrackplus.com)(6-11-2006)
UPDATE 3 - to #16? hearing that UPS is going to be on the #16 Roush Racing Ford with driver Greg Biffle in 2007.(6-20-2006)
UPDATE 4: hearing the announcement of where the UPS sponsorship will go, could be as soon as Friday, June 23rd or at sometime this weekend in Sonoma.(6-21-2006)
UPDATE 5: folks at Roush Racing have denied that UPS will sponsor any of their teams in 2007.(6-21-2006)
ANOTHER UPDATE: Car owner Ray Evernham had until last Friday to convince Dodge officials to allow UPS to sponsor Kasey Kahne's Dodge next year, and apparently he couldn't do it. That means UPS will sponsor Greg Biffle's Ford next year.(Augusta Chronicle)(6-22-2006)
UPDATE 7 More on UPS: Roush denies again: Roush Racing has not talked with UPS about sponsoring one of its cars next season, a team official said Friday. With UPS still not under contract for 2007, several teams have been mentioned as candidates for the sponsor if it opts not to stay with Robert Yates Racing. Roush Racing and its No. 16 Nextel Cup car with driver Greg Biffle have been rumored as a possible destination for UPS. "I don't know where the rumors are coming from," said Torrey Galida, senior vice president for marketing at Roush Racing, prior to Nextel Cup practice at Infineon Raceway Friday. "We have not spoken." Roush and RYR develop engines together, and Roush-Yates engines power all of the Fords in the garage. "We have a pretty firm understanding with Robert Yates that we would not engage one another's sponsors," Galida said. Galida said Roush Racing has all of its sponsorships solidified for next season except for the National Guard, which is on a year-to-year contract [which is the case with all the military sponsors] on Biffle's car. He said the National Guard is a full-season deal, but the National Guard sells off some of the races to other companies. (SceneDaily.com)(6-24-2006)
Jack Roush Honored by Ford: Jack Roush received the highest honor Ford Motor Company can bestow on anyone in racing when he was presented with the Spirit of Ford Award in front of approximately 450 employees at Ford World Headquarters Thursday. Edsel B. Ford II made the presentation during a pep rally involving many of Ford's NASCAR drivers who will be competing in the Nextel Cup and Craftsman Truck Series races at Michigan International Speedway this weekend. Roush was hired as an engineer at Ford in 1964, but got the racing bug when he joined a group called 'The Fastbacks' two years later. The group was made up of Ford employees who competed in drag racing on weekends. Since then, Roush has won championships in all three of NASCAR's top divisions, including back-to-back Nextel Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. In addition, he has three Pro Stock drag racing championships, 24 road racing titles and 10 consecutive victories in the prestigious Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. The Spirit of Ford Award goes to a person who has made significant contributions on and off the track to the sport of auto racing. Other stock car recipients of the Spirit of Ford Award include: Bud Moore, the Wood Brothers, Junie Donlavey, Bill Elliott, Richard Petty, the France family, and Ned Jarrett.(Ford Racing)(6-16-2006)
Forbes: Roush Most Valuable: Forbes magazine says Roush Racing is currently the most valuable organization in NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch series competition, with a net worth the publication estimates at $218 million. In its June 5 edition, Forbes says Roush's five Cup and six Busch entries have lined up sponsorship estimated at $108 million this year and have earned $8.3 million on the track this season. Hendrick Motorsports ranks second with a value of $146 million for four Cup and two Busch entries. Forbes calculates the team's sponsorships are producing $77 million revenue this year. Joe Gibbs Racing ranks third ($103 million), followed by Richard Childress Racing ($100 million) and Chip Ganassi Racing ($79 million).(SceneDaily.com)(5-25-2006)
Red Hot Chili Peppers Visit Roush: Before their performance during Saturday nights NEXTEL All Star event, the famed Red Hot Chili Peppers made a trip to the Roush Racing NEXTEL Cup shops in Concord, N.C. The four band members, Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante, and Chad Smith, took a quick tour through the Roush shops with hosts Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards then it was outside to perform their first ever pit stop with the assistance of the #16
Ameriquest Busch team. The Red Hot Chili Peppers also spent some time with Roush Racing's up and coming stars, Erik Darnell and David Ragan.(Roush Racing PR)(5-24-2006)
Charter on the #16 hood: This weekend at the Nextel All-Star Challenge at LMS, the #16 National Guard team will run the signature red, white and blue paint scheme with a special Charter Communications hood design.(Roush Racing PR)(5-17-2006)
Biffle wins at Darlington: #16-Greg Biffle won the Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington Raceway, leading 170 of 367 laps, for his first win of 2006 and 10th of his career. Biffle also moved from 20th in drivers points to 14th and is 500 points out of the lead [100 ouf of the chase]. #24-Jeff Gordon came on late and almost caught Biffle, but settled for 2nd, followed by #17-Matt Kesneth, #48-Jimmie Johnson and #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. Johnson increased his points lead over #20-Tony Stewart to 93 points. There were 25 lead changed among 10 drivers and 6 cautions for 24 laps.
Race Results on my Darlington Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Darlington page.
Race Rundown: see my Darlington Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(5-13-2006)
National Guard off #16 end of 2006? UPDATE: it was reported towards the end of Richmond Nextel Cup qualifying by Speed Channel's Bob Dilner, that National Guard, the sponsor of the #16 Ford that Greg Biffle drives [and is on the Richmond pole with], could be off the car after the 2006 season. Something to do with NASCAR's rule that a team can only have four cars. No word on what would happen with the #16 car. team, Biffle or if National Guard would stay in the sport on a different team.(5-5-2006)
UPDATE: Geoff Smith, president of Roush Racing, says he last talked to NASCAR officials about a month ago on complying with NASCAR's four-team limit. NASCAR announced last year that they would limit organizations to four teams. Roush fields five teams. Roush officials say contracts with sponsors and drivers go through the 2009 season. Smith says he's hopeful the organization can fulfill those contracts before downsizing. "They've made it pretty clear that they don't want an indefinite window,'' Smith said about NASCAR. "Philosophically, it seems like we're on the same page. I expect ... we're going to do this on a year-to-year basis with the view that if we can get it done before then we will.'' Smith also said that the team is in talks with the National Guard about returning as a sponsor. The National Guard is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 22 races for Greg Biffle this season.(Roanoke Times)(5-7-2006)
Biffle: Girlfriend's spat "out of proportion": NASCAR officials have yet to speak with Greg Biffle's girlfriend about her confrontation with Kurt Busch's fiancee following a wreck between the two drivers. But Biffle did. Nicole Lunders has been embarrassed by the attention her spat with Eva Bryan received, and Biffle said Thursday that two much has been made about the words exchanged on pit road two weeks ago at Texas Motor Speedway. "It certainly got way out of proportion because there wasn't any big news that week," Biffle said. "Nobody got out of the car and shoved somebody. It was kind of an uneventful weekend in sports, so it was a highlight. She didn't want it to be and we didn't want it to be. I think it's over." Lunders was upset after Busch hit the back of Biffle's car, sending him into the wall and ending his race. The accident caused a hard impact for Biffle, and Lunders was angry because Busch had been involved in several recent wrecks. So Lunders climbed off of Biffle's pit box, walked down pit road to find Bryan and had a brief exchange with her that was caught on national TV. NASCAR officials said they planned to speak with Lunders about it. "She was just upset about it and really felt like Kurt was going to end up hurting somebody, and that's what she conveyed to Eva," Biffle said. "She wasn't mad at Eva one bit. They're friends and they talk and they do stuff."(Associated Press)(4-21-2006)
Harvick says no excuse DeLana Harvick, who takes an active role in the career of husband Kevin and heads up his race team, tried to be understanding when asked about the recent confrontation between Nicole Lunders, Greg Biffle’s girlfriend, and Eva Bryan, Kurt Busch’s fiancée, at Texas Motor Speedway. But Mrs. Harvick, who grew up in a racing family, stressed that disputes between wives and girlfriends are indefensible. “The thing is, we as wives or girlfriends hear a lot of things in the motor-home lot that you guys, the media, never see,” she said. “Because of that, I think there are things on the race track that you see in a different light.
“However, there’s absolutely no reason to confront another spouse. They absolutely have nothing to do with what happened on the track, period. It’s inappropriate and it’s unacceptable. It’s a double-edged sword. You’re so emotionally attached to everything that happens. Someone’s safety is at stake. However, there are people there. There are cameras. That’s not acceptable.”(Gaston Gazette)(4-16-2006)
Biffle and a bank: Aquesta Bank officials say Nextel Cup driver Greg Biffle has joined the board of the proposed financial institution in Cornelius, N.C. Biffle was introduced to officials of the proposed Aquesta Bank by his business manager, who is an investor in the project, according to The Charlotte Business Journal, and both sides hit it off.(SceneDaily.com)(4-14-2006)
Kurt Busch trying to mend fences: Kurt Busch says he has tried to talk with Greg Biffle about their accident Sunday during the Samsung/RadioShack 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Biffle was angry that Busch ran into the back of him after Biffle slowed slightly on the straightaway. "I tried to reach out for [Biffle] and left a message on his phone, and I'm sure I'll see him this afternoon," Busch said Tuesday while teams were testing at Richmond International Raceway. "Biffle and I are both very competitive racers, and we both looked for the same real estate at the same time, yet I was trying to yield as a lapped car on the track.
Things like that happen, and we'll definitely try to smooth everything out and move on to the next race." Busch and Biffle were teammates at Roush Racing until this year, when Busch moved to Penske Racing South. "With the old teammates, we definitely had some great times together," Busch said. "Biffle and I grew up running trucks together, and when I moved to Cup he shortly followed. We have some great relationships, and it's not just one race that will tear it apart."(SceneDaily.com)(4-13-2006)
Biffle's girlfriend faces a reprimand: #16-Greg Biffle's girlfriend faces a reprimand from NASCAR about her pit-road confrontation with #2-Kurt Busch's fiance after the two drivers wrecked at Texas Motor Speedway. Busch hit the back of Biffle's car early in Sunday's race, causing an accident that ended Biffle's day. Biffle, the defending race winner, had led 49 of the first 82 laps before the crash and wound up 42nd. Moments after the wreck, TV cameras caught girlfriend Nicole Lunders slamming a water bottle on Biffle's pit box. She then marched down pit road and climbed halfway up Busch's box and had a heated exchange with Eva Bryan. The brief confrontation created a buzz in NASCAR, and the sanctioning body wants to cool down the emotions. "There will be some conversations that will be had with the people that participated, and we'll make sure that this doesn't carry on and into the garage or anywhere else," Robin Pemberton, vice president of competition, said Wednesday. "You've got to remember, most everybody in the garage area is friends, and those two girls in particular have a close relationship. Tempers flare, and we'll look at that and we'll make sure it doesn't carry on any further than that." NASCAR does not have a steadfast rule against team members entering other pit boxes, but generally frowns upon it if the reason for approaching the area stems from something that happened in race. "When altercations and things like that happen, we recommend that you stay in your own area," Pemberton said. "You can go have a conversation, but it can't be heated per se." Family members are typically given entrance to the track on a "license" that recognizes them as a team member, meaning their actions can be policed by NASCAR and the sanctioning body reserves the right to revoke their pass at any time.(Associated Press)(4-12-2006)
Little League Baseball scheme for #16 IMAGE: This weekend the #16 National Guard Ford of Greg Biffle will run a special Subway/Little League Baseball paint scheme. Subway is a proud sponsor of Little League Baseball.(Roush Racing)(4-5-2006)
IMAGE: see an image of the scheme on my #16 Team Schemes page.(4-7-2006)
Five Purple Heart Recipients to Attend Bristol Race: The #16 National Guard team will have the privilege of being accompanied this Sunday by five Purple Heart recipients from the Tennessee National Guard. SPC Wesley Bullington, SGT Tony Anderson, SPC Jamey Smith, SGT Christopher Cartwright and SPC Anthony Lambert have all received a Purple Heart for the sacrifices they made while in the line of duty. These soldiers all come from the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment is the only enhanced Armored Cavalry Regiment within the National Guard, and one of only two Armored Cavalry Regiments in the United States Army. It is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, with units throughout the East and Central Tennessee Area. The Purple Heart is a U.S. military decoration awarded in the name of the President of the United States to those who have been wounded or killed while serving in or with the U.S. military after April 5, 1917. The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first American award made available to the common soldier.(Roush Racing PR)(3-24-2006)
Subway Colors at Bristol for Biffle: This weekend the #16 National Guard team and driver Greg Biffle will again run the 2006 Subway paint scheme. This paint scheme will run a total of 11 times this season.(Roush Racing), see image on my #16 Team Schemes Page.(3-24-2006)
Jackson Hewitt scheme on the #16 at Calif: Greg Biffle's #16 Roush Racing Ford will feature a Jackson Hewitt paint scheme this weekend at California Speedway.(Roush Racing PR), see an image on my #16 Team Schemes page, will NOT run at Martinsville, just California.(2-22-2006)
Subway increases sponsorship: Subway Restaurants will heighten sponsorship efforts with #16-Greg Biffle of Roush Racing in its third year of team sponsorship. Subway restaurants made its first Nextel Cup Series appearance as a team sponsor in 2001. Today, Subway restaurants are set to be the primary sponsor of the #16 National Guard/Subway Ford Fusion at 11 Nextel Cup Series races in 2006, including two entitlement races. The Subway Fresh 500 will take place at Phoenix International Raceway on April 22 and the Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 22. For more information about the Subway restaurant chain, visit subway.com.(PR Newswire)(2-17-2006)
Kenseth signs multi-year deal with Roush UPDATE: Matt Kenseth has signed a multi-year contract with Roush Racing to continue to drive the #17 DEWALT Ford. Kenseth and Roush Racing's relationship dates back to 1999. "We are very pleased that Matt extended his contract with Roush Racing last fall," said Jack Roush, owner of Roush Racing. "Matt is one of the most talented drivers in the garage and he'll always hold a special place in our organization, having helped to bring us our first Cup championship in 2003. It's very assuring knowing that he will be staying on with us and I know that the first goal on his agenda is to take that championship trophy back."(Roush Racing PR), no terms mentioned.(1-27-2006)
UPDATE: Terms were not disclosed, beyond the deal being described as "multi-year." Team owner Jack Roush has said he has driver and sponsor agreements for all five of his Nextel Cup cars until 2010 or beyond.(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(1-28-2006)
Roush and NASCAR agree on downsizing: Five-Team Owner [#'s 6,16,17,26,99] Jack Roush said he and NASCAR have agreed on the basics of how to get his Nextel Cup team down to four cars, which was mandated by the sanctioning body late last season.
“We will go back to four teams, but it’s not immediate,” Roush said. “There is a cap of four [Cup teams]. I will comply with that when I’m past my commitments I have with drivers and sponsors. We’ve finally got an understanding of what is possible and what we can do.”
Roush would not speculate on when his team might go back to four cars, but said his existing commitments expire between 2009 and 2011.(Ford Racing)(1-25-2006)
Subway back with Biffle: Subway will once again be the primary for Greg Biffle on the #16 Ford, this time for two 2006 Nextel Cup races, Phoniex in April and Martinsville in October. See an image on the #16 Team Schemes page.(1-18-2006)
Past 2005 News
Roush Crew Chiefs all back in 2006: Roush Racing President Geoff Smith said Sunday that the team has re-signed all of five of its crew chiefs for 2006, although it has some unfilled crew vacancies remaining. Roush is one of the few teams that had no midseason crew chief turnover and return of its five team leaders should help the organization get off to a strong start next season.(Speed Channel)(11-21-2005)
Richert Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award at Phoenix: Doug Richert and the #16 National Guard/Post-it Ford were able to turn it around after a dismal week at Texas Motor Speedway to finish second at the Checker Auto Parts 500. Biffle led 189 laps, the most in the race, which is the 4th time this season he has done so. For his preparation getting the #16 Ford ready for Phoenix, Doug Richert was voted the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Biffle fought hard in the Arizona sun, dominating most of the race. "Greg had to battle all day so we didn't gamble as far as tires go," said Richert. "We had a really good car; you don't get that too often, so we were hoping to capitalize. Overall, we were pleased with the 2nd place finish," continued Richert. The #16 Ford's turnaround from a lackluster performance could also be attributed to fast pit stops. "The guys have been great all year long; they know every second counts and they performed well today. We had problems in Texas, but we bounced back and put together some great pit stops for Greg."
The panel of voters, including local NBC Sportscasters, a Wypall Wipers representative and Robbie Reiser, unanimously voted for Richert as the crew chief that did the best job.
With his win, Doug Richert clinches the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year, racking up six wins overall. He will receive a check for $20,000 this weekend in Homestead. Bob Osborne is alone at second. Alan Gustafson and Greg Zipadelli are tied for third-place with three wins. Jimmy Fennig, Robbie Reiser, Chad Knaus, Steve Addington and Robbie Loomis are tied for fourth-place with two wins. Tommy Baldwin, Scott Miller, Fatback McSwain, Steve Hmiel, Greg Erwin, Slugger Labbe, Pat Tryson and Pete Rondeau are tied for fifth-place, each with one win. Fans can also vote for their choice at wypall.com.(SMC 500)(11-15-2005)
Biffle upset at Johnson's testing: Whether it's his version of Chase for the Nextel Cup gamesmanship or genuine outrage, Greg Biffle believes Hendrick Motorsports violated at least the spirit of NASCAR testing rules by having Jimmie Johnson in a #25 car in Phoenix. "Johnson was driving the 25 car," Biffle said. "Does he race the 25 car? Why was he driving the 25 car?" Brian Vickers drives the #25 Chevrolets for the Hendrick team. Johnson drives the #48 Chevys. "Vickers wasn't even there," Biffle said. "And this isn't the first time. Everybody knows that they do it. ... I watched Chad Knaus (Johnson's crew chief) on TV brag about they saved all their tests for the Chase. It's not his test." NASCAR limits the number of one- and two-day tests each Cup team can do at tracks on the schedule. Many teams with championship aspirations save their sessions for late in the year so they can go to tracks in the Chase and prepare for races in the 10-race "playoff" to determine the title. "I was there filling in for the #25 team," Johnson said. "You can go back and look at other examples of driving filling in for teams. The #20 car (Stewart's) was there with a #80 on the side of it, with the 20 hauler, 20 team and 20 everything. But Denny Hamlin was driving it. "We go to NASCAR, we ask what we can do. We ask how we can help our teammates out and fill in. They tell us if it's right or wrong. So we're doing all that we can and we went down there and tested."(ThatsRacin.com)(11-6-2005)
Special Decal on the #16: Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 National Guard/Charter Taurus, will carry a special decal on his car honoring the 48th Brigade of the Georgia National Guard, “It’s pretty special. All of the stories of the soldiers that are in the National Guard and other forms of the military that are serving, all of them are kind of a unique story. We read about and learn about a lot of unfortunate things that happen. A lot of the soldiers that are defending our country in Afghanistan and Iraq are National Guard reservists, which they like to call citizen soldiers—guys that drive UPS trucks and guys that work at the auto parts store. They’re National Guard reservists and they’re also the ones that support our country when we have these hurricanes."(Ford Racing)(10-29-2005)
Subway to donate 5% today: The Subway restaurant chain, the world's largest submarine sandwich franchise, and its franchisees will donate the equivalent of 5% of October 23, 2005 sales from all of their 18,000-plus U.S. restaurants to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to aid emergency needs of Hurricane Katrina and Rita survivors. The effort is expected to raise more than $1 million. Subway will support its chain-wide initiative with television and radio announcements, and with window signs in each of its
U.S. restaurants. In addition, there will be exposure for the fundraiser during television coverage of the October 23rd Subway 500 NASCAR race in Martinsville, VA, along with a presence at the track consisting of public address announcements, billboard announcements, and an American Red Cross logo on the hood of the #16 Ford Taurus driven by Greg Biffle. The American Red Cross estimates that the families needing assistance from Hurricane Katrina alone are 15 times the number from all four hurricanes last year. The total cost for Katrina relief is estimated at more than $2 billion, and the Red Cross is counting on the American people and corporations to help their neighbors in need. For more information about the Subway restaurant chain, visit www.subway.com.(PR)(10-23-2005)
Biffle still sore, credit HANS for saving him: #16-Greg Biffle told Claire B. Lang of XM Satellite NASCAR Radio on Friday that it's clear to him that the HANS device saved his life after a very hard crash at Lowe's Motor Speedway testing this week. In fact, he's still hurting this weekend at Dover. "A good possiblity I wouldn't be alive," he said when she asked him what would have happened had he not had the HANS device on at LMS testing this week. "We were 33 laps into a run on a set of tires and the right front failed. It blew out and we went straight into the fence....I hit over 170mph. I mean I'm screwed up," he said. "My shoulders hurt my neck hurt. Then, (I) turned around and did it the next night, backwards. That's as hard as you hit. I mean I went down in the corner was three quarters in the way across the corner flat on the throttle and we're running 28.80's probably going 200 miles an hour. The thing hit the fence just so squared off I mean it was like nearly probably 60 degree impact angle in the fence. You know it was..unbelievable." Biffle is still sore at Dover.(XM Satellite NASCAR Radio)(9-24-2005)
Biffle on "Yes Dear, Oct 5th": Jimmy (Mike O'Malley) and Greg (Anthony Clark) become partners in the next lawn mower race after Jimmy comes in last place due to a slow lawn mower, on YES, DEAR, Wednesday, Oct. 5 (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Mark Cendrowski directed the episode written by Gigi McCreery and Perry Rein. NASCAR driver Greg Biffle guests stars as one of competitors in the lawn mower competition. Jimmy enters himself in an amateur lawn mower racing contest but is discouraged when he comes in last place in his first race. Seeing the disappointment in Sammy's face, Greg decides to finance the next competition as a way to bond with his son, who is part of Jimmy's pit crew. But when Greg starts acting like an owner instead of a sponsor, Jimmy pulls out of the race leaving an inexperienced Greg worried that he might have to step in.(CBS Entertainment PR)(9-23-2005)
Testing at Lowe's - Wed: hearing that #16-Greg Biffle crashed again today, testing at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Biffle also crashed Tuesday, wrecking what he considered his best car and one that was going to be used in four of the nine remaining 2005 races. Also, heard #20-Tony Stewart did not test Wednesday [so far] after wrecking Tuesday.
MORE #16-Greg Biffle’s championship chances may have taken a severe blow after crashing in successive days during testing at Lowes Motor Speedway. Tuesday night a right front tire cut down on his National Guard Ford sending him crashing into the wall between turns one and two. The tire had run 35 laps. Wednesday afternoon Biffle got loose going in the same turn and backed into the wall. As for the first crash Biffle said “It’s unfortunate…it was my best racecar I had in the fleet…the fastest racecar I’ve had ever. Data showed a 170 mile per hour impact. It was a pretty tough hit…hardest hit I’ve had in a long time.” As for crash number two…”It was a brand new car but it’s not something we were depending on. It’s tough to come here and lose two cars because someone is not using their brain. They made changes to the race track and who knows what determination was made…was it suppose to be the same grinding as it was before? If that was what they were told then there’s no reason for alarm, but that’s obviously not what happened. Maybe it’ll be okay whenever all the cars are here running we’ll have to wait and see.” Biffle’s shoulders, left arm, and neck are all sore. The car that wrecked Tuesday was virtually destroyed and was slated for Charlotte, Kansas, Texas and Homestead. Biffle said it will take a lot of work however it does look fixable in time for Kansas.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(9-21-2005)
Special Scheme for Biffle at MIS: #16-Greg Biffle is scheduled to run a #16 Prism National Guard car at Michigan in August. The hood of of the black and grey car will feature the Prismthegame.com web address; a game inspired by the National Guard. See an image of the scheme on my #16 Team Schemes page.(7-28-2005)
Biffle got wrong idea says Johnson: Becoming the points leader was special for #16-Greg Biffle on Sunday at Infineon Raceway, but what he said made it better was the perceived slight he got from #48-Jimmie Johnson, who had been leading the points. Biffle noted how Johnson laughed after Biffle got off course Friday in qualifying and started 41st in the 43-car field. "I hate that he misunderstood it,'' Johnson said. "I know his team knows where I'm coming from because they were standing right there with me when I watched it on the Jumbotron when he went off the track. I was applauding him. I thought he did a great job saving the car. If you look on the video from qualifying, I'm clapping and commending him on his job of saving the car and you can see my lips say 'great save.' '' (Ronokae Times)(6-29-2005)
Roush 2006 lineup complete.....almost: Geoff Smith, president of Roush Racing, said Friday that the Roush lineup for 2006 is all but complete, with sponsors and drivers for four of its five Nextel Cup cars showing no major changes. DeWalt will return to Matt Kenseth's #17, National Guard/Subway/etc. to Greg Biffle's #16, Rubbermaid/Smirnoff and others with Kurt Busch's #97, and all races accounted for with Carl Edwards's #99. The million-dollar question, of course, has been who will take over for retiring veteran Mark Martin in the flagship #6. Sponsor Pfizer will leave after this season, as has been known for weeks, but Smith said the sponsor issue is more a matter of placing the right company with the right driver. Smith continues to hint that Jon Wood, still under contract with Roush while driving on loan in the Busch Series, could be the front-runner for the job. "We have at least one sponsor who is very interested in Jon," Smith said. Smith also dismissed reports that Valvoline, one-time primary sponsor of Martin and the #6, could return as sponsor of Martin's Roush-backed Craftsman Truck effort next season. Smith said Roush Racing has a company-wide supplier agreement with Quaker State [Pennzoil], and that such a nostalgic coupling would not be possible.(Ford Racing)(6-18-2005)
Biffle honors fallen soldier in car; to give trophy to injured: #16-Greg Biffle's racecar is sponsored by the National Guard, and Biffle had a picture of a young man named Ryan Doltz, a National Guard soldier, who was killed in Iraq exactly one year ago Sunday. It was taped to the roll bar of his racecar. Biffle also said "I'm so excited to win here in Dover (with) all the soldiers I met this weekend. I'm going to give the trophy to a soldier that's here this weekend. (He) lost his leg in Iraq, and he's up here from Walter Reed Hospital. He's around here somewhere. I can't wait to celebrate with him."(FoxSports)(6-6-2005)
Biffle close to re-signing with Roush UPDATE signed: #16-Greg Biffle still hasn't picked up a pen to sign a new contract with Roush Racing. But Geoff Smith, the team's general manager, says he's hopeful that Biffle will sign soon. Last month, Smith said that he wanted to complete Biffle's contract by the end of May. "Biffle is very, very close to being done," Smith said. "We're working through a couple of contract points, related to his sponsors actually. We got together with one and got that worked out. Now we're working with the other one. And I really expect that to be finished very shortly.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-26-2005)
UPDATE: Greg Biffle has renewed a multi-year agreement with Roush Racing to continue to drive the #16 Ford Taurus. In the midst of his eighth year with Roush Racing, a tenure that has included a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship and a NASCAR Busch Series Championship, Greg Biffle is considered a top contender for the Nextel Cup title. Now, 12 races into the 2005 season, Biffle and the National Guard team have three wins, four top-five finishes and seven top-10 finishes. Needless to say, Biffle has been quite busy. However, in the last week he has made time to finalize his contract with Roush.
"It just took a little while to iron out the details but I'm really happy to be making this announcement," said Biffle. "I've had a long, successful career at Roush Racing with the Truck and Busch Series Championships and I'd love to bring Jack his third Nextel Cup Championship. This National Guard team is at the top of its game right now and the energy is so high, it's just a really good feeling as a driver to be in this situation. I think you'll see a few more wins out of this team before the end of this season and we're doing everything we can to be ready for those final ten races. You never know how things are going to play out but we can at least make sure we're in the best position possible heading into the 'Chase'."
Team owner Jack Roush shares Biffle's excitement about the National Guard team and Biffle's future at Roush Racing. "Greg is a tremendous talent and his decision to remain at Roush is a commitment to his team," said Roush. "The #16 team has really come together and I think the best is yet to come for them. Greg and Doug (Richert) have a chemistry right now that you don't find very often between a driver and a crew chief. It's taken a little while to get to this point but their on-track performance this season speaks for itself."(Roush Racing)(5-26-2005)
Richert Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award, takes the lead: When the caution flag waved with five
laps to go in the Dodge Charger 500, every crew chief was left with a few split seconds to decide what course of action to take for the
ensuing shoot out. In the end, Doug Richert, crew chief of the #16 National Guard/Travel Lodge Ford, proved to have the superior game plan. He sacrificed Greg Biffle's second-place position in the running order to take four fresh tires for the remaining green flag laps. Biffle used his fresh rubber to blitz past the three cars ahead of him on the restart, cruising all the way to Victory Lane. Richert's strategy
brought him his third Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award. Earlier this season at Bristol Motor Speedway, Richert let a probable win slip away by not pitting for tires after a late-race caution. Just the opposite happened today when the leader, #12-Ryan Newman, elected to stay on the track during the last caution period and watched Biffle and company all dive down pit lane. "Taking four tires for the last green flag seemed like a no brainer, even with only a few laps left," said Richert following the race. "I know exactly what the 12 car was feeling like when we all ducked in behind him. It's just like what happened to us at Bristol, but it was definitely the right thing for us to do. The other right thing was our crew performed how we should all night. We were the first car off pit road that took four tires and that was as critical as anything."
The panel of voters; including John Clayton of the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, a Wypall Wipers representative and Tony Eury Sr.; all
thought Richert deserved top honors for executing a winning strategy. With his third Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award, Richert moves into first place of the Crew Chief Challenge standings. Robbie Loomis is in second place with two wins. Scott Miller, Bob Osborne, Alan Gustafson and Pete Rondeau are tied for third place, each with one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000. Fan can also vote for their choice at wypall.com.(SMC 500)(4-25-2005)
Biffle plans to stay at Roush: Greg Biffle says he has been too busy to solidify his plans for next season, but he was expected to meet with his agent last week and still intends to stay in the #16 car at Roush Racing. "We're not any closer because we haven't had a chance to talk," Biffle says. "They're going to take care of me because that is where I want to be. It would be crazy for me to want to go somewhere else because I might lose the next whole season getting geared up with a new team." Biffle is the only driver in the top 10 whose contract expires at the end of 2005 without an option, which is another reason--besides a stellar 2005 performance, including his victory Saturday night at Darlington--he is in high demand.(Sporting News)(5-9-2005)
Biffle wins wild one at Darlington: #16-Greg Biffle, who led the most laps, blew by #12-Ryan Newman, who had old tires, and won the Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington Raceway for his 6th career win and 3rd of the season. With 3 laps to go, #6-Mark Martin spun while trying to make a pass and brought out the final caution and setting up a green-white-checker finish. With 19 cars on the lead lap, all but the leader at the point, #12-Newman and #49-Ken Schrader made pit stops, 16 of the 17 got four new Goodyear tires, while #99-Edwards got two and came 4th with two laps to go. Biffle blew by Schrader and Newman on the 1st green flag lap and it was over. #24-Gordon got into #99-Edwards. who made a great save, and finished 2nd, followed by #9-Kahne, #6-Martin and #12-Newman. #48-Jimmie Johnson finished 7th and held on to the points lead.
For race results/results links, see Jayski's Darlington Race Results/Awards page.(5-7-2005)
Travelodge back to the #16, primary at Darlington UPDATE: Travelodge Hotels announced the renewal of its associate sponsorship of the #16 National Guard Ford Taurus, driven by Greg Biffle, in the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. The agreement continues the Travelodge brand's two-year relationship with Roush Racing of Concord, N.C. As part of the agreement, Travelodge Hotels will appear as the team's primary sponsor at Darlington Raceway's Carolina Dodge Dealers 500 on May 7.(PRN Newswire)(3-24-2005)
UPDATE: This weekend the #16 National Guard Ford will feature a special Sleepy Bear logo on the hood. Sleepy Bear is the official mascot for Travelodge, now in their second year of associate sponsorship with the #16 National Guard Ford.(Roush Racing)(5-6-2005)
Biffle To Fly In F-16: On Wednesday, #16-Greg Biffle will take a ride in an F-16 fighter jet with the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard. The flight will take place at the Montgomery Regional Airport. "I can't wait," said Biffle. "I've talked to a couple of other drivers who have gotten the chance to fly in an F-16 and they have all said it's like nothing else. The National Guard gave me the opportunity to drive an M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank last year and that was pretty cool. This is another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I can't wait." Biffle will undergo a physical examination prior to climbing into the F-16 just to make sure his body will hold up to the extreme conditions. For example, when driving his National Guard Ford into the high-banks of Daytona, Biffle will experience around three-four "G's" (G-force is a measure of stress on a body during rapid acceleration). However, the F-16 is capable of pulling nine G's without even trying and the effect of nine G's on the human body is significant. As you pull more G's, your weight increases correspondingly and thereby, your 10 pound head will weigh 90 pounds when you reach nine G's. The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation's longest enduring institutions. The National Guard operates in all 50 states, three territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands) and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit the National Guard website at www.1-800-GO-GUARD.com.(Roush Racing)(4-27-2005)
Biffle wins at Texas: #16-Greg Biffle won the Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway by leading 219 of 334 laps. #41-Casey Mears made a late run after a caution and only took 2 tires and Biffle stalked Mears down within a few laps and won the race by just over 4 seconds over #42-Jamie McMurray. #48-Jimmie Johnson, #41-Casey Mears and #40-Sterling Marlin. The rest of the top 10 were #15-Waltrip, #97-Busch, #21-Rudd, #8-Earnhardt Jr. and #2-Wallace. It is Biffle's 5th career win and 2nd of 2005. #48-Johnson maintains the points lead over Biffle by 135. Biffle officially started 5th, but was in a backup car after crashing in practice on Saturday and had to fall to the rear of the field before the drop of the green flag on Sunday.
For race results and links to other site for results, see:
Jayski's Texas Race Results Page.(4-17-2005)
Biffle denies talk of him to the #2 MORE: Reports say that Greg Biffle, driver of Roush Racing's #16, may again be in play, although Biffle says he hopes to stay with Roush if terms can be made satisfactory. Biffle, rumored to be a top choice to replace Wallace, told reporters that an extension with Roush was "in final discussions. I haven't talked to anybody, and I don't plan to untl I have exhausted every possible resource [for] staying at Roush Racing."(Speed Channel)(4-17-2005)
AND Greg Biffle, reported to be a top candidate for Penske Racing's No. 2 car when Rusty Wallace retires end of this year, insisted he will remain with Roush Racing. Biffle, two-time winner this season and fully competitive at most other stops, said, in the presence of owner Jack Roush, said that his contract-renewal negotiations with Roush are more a matter of timing. "There isn't a question about it, and there hasn't been this year," Biffle said.(Speed Channel)(4-18-2005)
Charter to sponsor the #16 at Bristol: #16-Greg Biffle will sport a special Charter paint scheme on the #16 Nextel Cup Ford Taurus.(Roush Racing)(3-30-2005)
Jackson-Hewitt scheme for Biffle at Martinsville: #16-Greg Biffle will sport a Jackson-Hewitt paint scheme in the Advance Auto Parts 500 at Martinsville Speedway in April. See an image of the car on my #16 Team Schemes page.(3-12-2005)
Richert Shines in California, Wins WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: California Speedway stumped several crew chiefs in the Nextel Cup garage. The low-banked, two-mile oval had more than a few teams second guessing their setups and pit strategies. And while the race weekend left most crew chiefs with more questions than answers, Doug Richert, crew chief of the #16 National Guard team, undoubtedly had a handle on the track from the very start. Richert led his driver to Victory Lane in the Auto Club 500 and was voted the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race.
A panel of three voters, including Tony Eury Sr., a representative from WYPALL Wipers and a member of the local media all cast their
votes for the Crew Chief of the Race following the event. Richert won by a vote of two to one. Anne Marie Brooks of the Lebanon Democrat voted for Jimmy Fennig as the Crew Chief of the Race. The WYPALL Wipers representative and Tony Eury Sr. both gave their nod to Richert. Both Pete Rodeau and Doug Richert have each won the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award in 2005. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season will be named WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and receive $20,000. For more information, visit www.wypall.com.(WypAll PR)(3-1-2005)
Biffle wins at California: #16-Greg Biffle backed up his words, saying he would lead the race by lap 5 [he did by lap 4] and would win the race [he did], winning the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, leading 46 laps and holding off #48-Jimmie Johnson [with help from his teammate #97-Kurt Busch], Johnson finished 2nd, followed by Busch, #42-Jamie McMurray and #99-Carl Edwards. #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. was never a factor after starting 40th, cutting down two left front tires and needed fender repairs, finishing 32nd, 13 laps down. Pole sitter, #5-Kyle Busch led 2 of the first 3 laps, but was never a factor after that and finished 23rd, but was the Rookie of the race. #24-Jeff Gordon, who came into the race leading the points and running up front all day, lost an engine with 4 laps to go. #01-Joe Nemechek led the most laps, but lost an engine. #15-Waltrip lost an engine for the 2nd race in row. #97-Busch now leads the points by 5 over #48-Johnson. Four Roush drivers are in the top-5 in points.
Race Results at:
Jayski's California Race Rundown/Info page with winnings, cautions, lap leaders, DNF's and much more
Jayski's California Race Results/Awards page
NASCAR.com
Motorsports One.(2-27-2005)
Biffle close to signing contract extension: Roush Racing officials said they are close to signing Greg Biffle to a contract extension. Biffle's deal is up at the end of this season, and his public criticism of the company last year gave strong indications that he was considering leaving.(ESPN.com/AP)(2-20-2005)
Subway Scheme for Biffle: #16-Greg Biffle os scheduled to run a Subway scheme at the Subway Fresh 500 at Phoenix International Raceway in April and the Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway in October. See the scheme on my #16 Team Schemes page.(2-19-2005)
Roush and Red Sox rumor resurfaces: Roush Racing executives have been working with their counterparts in the Boston Red Sox front office on ways to tap into the New England fan market. Possible alliances include a Red Sox paint scheme and Roush-themed television shows on the team's regional cable network. "I'm hoping to find out a way to affiliate our teams more closely with the Red Sox," Roush Racing President Geoff Smith said. Smith said Red Sox majority owner John Henry is a "semiprofessional" computer race car driver, playing the same sophisticated online racing simulator game that drivers such as Earnhardt play when they aren't racing. The Roush team brought Henry to a race at New Hampshire International Speedway last year, leading to rumors Roush would sell a stake in his team to Henry. But Smith said beyond the two teams' marketing plans, "there is nothing on the table." Smith doesn't rule out the team possibly entering a partnership.(USA Today)(2-18-2005)
Mikey vs. Biffle.....in chairs: In a unique tune-up for Sunday's 47th running of the Daytona 500, Michael Waltrip and Greg Biffle, two former winners at Daytona International Speedway, will put their driving skills to the test on a track of a different kind. There'll be no restrictor plates and drafting partners to worry about, or even left turns for that matter, but there will be a catch. Waltrip and Biffle will be racing in the world's fastest armchairs - souped-up, motorized recliners that reach a top speed of more than 40 miles per hour - down a makeshift drag strip. The event, dubbed the "Full Throttle Armchair Challenge," celebrates the official launch of Full Throttle, a new energy drink from The Coca-Cola Company. The 'event' takes place Friday, February 18, 2005 at 11:00am/et at the Daytona Beach Kennel Club Parking Lot, 2201 W. International Speedway Boulevard - next to Daytona Speedway. The event is free and open to the public. Full Throttle, a new lightly carbonated energy drink from The Coca-Cola Company, hits store shelves around the country this week. Best described as "16 ounces of citrus-flavored fury in a can," Full Throttle is packed with the fuel energy drink lovers crave, including ginseng extract, caffeine, taurine, guarana extract and B-vitamins.(Coca-Cola/Fast Horse PR), wonder if it comes in diet?(2-15-2005)
Biffle's car catches fire on pit road, but is OK: The car #16 National Guard Ford of Greg Biffle, last year's Daytona 500 pole-sitter, caught fire on pit road while it was on the line waiting to qualifying on Sunday. Speed Channel's Ralph Sheheen reported that a heater that was warming the oil tank in the car shorted out and caused a fire behind Biffle's seat. Biffle, who is scheduled to qualify sixth, was OK, but the team rolled the car back to the garage to see whether oil lines and the battery were affected by the fire.
"It looks like everything is OK. We wanted to make sure it wasn't an oil line," Biffle's crew chief Doug Richert told Speed. "It was concentrated under the oil tank with a lot of insulation. I don't think we'll jeopardize anything." Biffle led the most laps in the season-opening Budweiser Shootout before finishing fifth. He was 10th- and 15th-fastest in Saturday's pre-qualifying practices.(FoxSports/Speed)
AND Richert was interviewed by Steve Byrnes, he said the team has been excused from it's scheduled 6th place in the qualifying order and NASCAR will have them go thru the templates before going back on the grid.(2-13-2005)
Charter to be a sponsor on the #16: Charter Communications announced an expansion of its NASCAR profile for the 2005 season with sponsorships in both the Nextel Cup Series and the Busch Series. Charter will once again sponsor a full Busch Series slate with the #60 Charter Ford Taurus. The Company will also serve as an associate sponsor for the #16 National Guard car in Nextel Cup Series races. Both sponsorships are in affiliation with Roush Racing, the team that's been home to the Nextel Cup Series Champion for the last two seasons. As an associate sponsor for the #16 National Guard Ford, to be driven again by Greg Biffle, Charter will have its logo prominently featured on the car and on driver and crew uniforms throughout the season. For a handful of races in key Charter markets, the #16 will feature a dedicated Charter paint scheme as Biffle looks to build on a successful 2004 campaign, in which he won two Nextel Cup Series races and became the first NASCAR driver to ever race full seasons in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series in the same year. With Biffle cutting back on his Busch Series schedule in 2005, relative newcomer Carl Edwards will drive the #60 Charter Ford Taurus. In 2004 Edwards finished fourth in the Craftsman Truck Series point standings and took home five top-10 finishes in his 13 Nextel Cup starts, including a third-place effort at Atlanta Motor Speedway. More information about Charter can be found at www.charter.com. (Roush Racing PR)(1-10-2005)
Past 2004 News
Post-It to sponsor Biffle in ten races: Post-It will be the primary sponsor for the #16 Roush Racing Ford that Greg Biffle drives, the following ten races are scheduled: California (Feb), Atlanta (Mar), Texas (Apr), Darlington, Pocono (June), Sonoma, Chicago, Talladega (Oct), Phoenix (Nov). See an image of the car on the #16 Team Paint Schemes page.(12-28-2004)
Ford Racing enters the Daytona Rolex 24 with Busch, Kenseth, Biffle: The new Crown Royal Special Reserve/Multimatic Ford entry in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the twice-around-the-clock road racing classic Feb. 5-6, 2005, will feature three NASCAR champion drivers from Ford and Roush Racing: 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Kurt Busch, 2003 NASCAR Cup Champion Matt Kenseth, and NASCAR Busch (2002) and Craftsman Truck (2000) Champion Greg Biffle. The three Roush Racing Ford pilots will be joined by Multimatic Ford driver Scott Maxwell, who has won six professional road racing championships in his career, but may be best known for his victories in both the 24 Hours of LeMans and the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The potent foursome will look to capture an overall victory in the 2005 season-opener of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, it was announced today. "It's a dream team, that's for sure," said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology. "We started talking last summer about getting a chance to put this type of team together for the Rolex 24, and because of the cooperation of Roush Racing, Multimatic, and Crown Royal Special Reserve, we have an effort and a class of drivers that will be able to make a run for the overall win." The Crown Royal Special Reserve Multimatic Ford is an updated version of the race car that won the Daytona Prototype class at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in 2003. A Ford Modular Cammer V-8 motor prepared by Roush-Yates Engines will power it.
(Ford Racing PR)(12-21-2004)
Official Tax Service of NASCAR: Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. today announced a three-year sponsorship with NASCAR, in which Jackson Hewitt Tax Service will be known as "The Tax Service of NASCAR." Jackson Hewitt's motorsports marketing strategy also includes an endorsement sponsorship of three NASCAR NEXTEL Series drivers - Greg Biffle, #16 Ford, recent winner of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Ford 400 at Homestead - Miami Speedway; Michael Waltrip, #99 Chevrolet [Busch Series], two-time Daytona Champion; and Kasey Kahne, #9 Dodge, 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Rookie of the Year. These sponsorships, which were brokered by motorsports marketing agency, Just Marketing, will run through the 2007 tax season, and will also feature promotional offerings, guest appearances and use of the NASCAR trademark in marketing communications. The Jackson Hewitt Tax Service promotion for NASCAR fans will run from January 3, 2005 through April 30, 2005, and will provide customers with free NASCAR gear and a money-saving coupon. The coupon, which will be available on jacksonhewitt.com/racinggear, entitles customers to discounted tax preparation services at any of the over 4,900 Jackson Hewitt Tax Service locations nationwide. After redemption of the coupon, customers will be sent a free, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series schedule T-shirt and a race day cooler, featuring images of Greg Biffle, Michael Waltrip and Kasey Kahne. Jackson Hewitt entered the world of NASCAR last year with its sponsorship of the Roush Racing #16 National Guard/Subway Ford Taurus car and its driver, Greg Biffle. More information about the Company may be obtained by visiting the Company's Web site at www.jacksonhewitt.com.(PRNewswire/Arizona Racing Times)(12-1-2004)
National Guard returns to the #16 in 2005: The National Guard and Roush Racing announced an extension of their NASCAR Nextel Cup partnership into the 2005 season. The National Guard will maintain its primary role with Roush Racing’s #16 NASCAR Nextel Cup entry and driver Greg Biffle. “We couldn’t be happier with the program at Roush Racing,” said LTG
Roger Schultz, Director of the Army National Guard. “Greg, Doug (Richert, crew chief) and the team there have done an excellent job
representing the Guard and we want to continue the relationship we’ve built over the last 10 months." The National Guard began their involvement in NASCAR in 2002 and joined Roush Racing last December. In a partnership with Subway, Travelodge and Jackson Hewitt, the National Guard took on a primary role with the #16 team and debuted their signature red, white and blue Ford shortly before the Daytona 500. For more information, visit the National Guard website at www.1-800-GO-GUARD.com.(Roush Racing PR)(11-18-2004)
Roush to be honored in his hometown: Adams County [Ohio] native Jack Roush will again be honored at his hometown of Manchester, OH on Sunday, Oct. 17. A full day of activities are being planned with a cruise-in, auto parade, food, games, raffles and split the pot. All proceeds will benefit the Manchester Christmas Light Fund. The events start at noon with a home-cooked meal with Roush at the community building. Also at noon, a fall festival honoring Jack will start at the River Barn on U.S. 52 where all the activities of the day will be held. At that time, there will be a gospel lunch, a cruise-in and games for the children. Line-up for the automobile parade, with Roush as Grand Marshall, is at 1 p.m. at Brown Hill Road. The parade will proceed down Jack Roush Way, west on U.S. 52 to the Riverbarn.
The first annual Jack Roush Car Show will be held at the Riverbarn beginning at 8 a.m. with judging at 10:30 a.m. and trophies awarded at 11:15 a.m. Free dash plaques will be awarded to all show cars. Entry fee is $10.
After the grand parade, Roush will host an autograph signing until 4 p.m. An auction, featuring many special race items, will begin at 3 p.m., at which time the winners of the car show will be announced as well as raffle winners.(People's Defender)(10-16-2004)
Next win for Roush is #300: Roush Racing is going after its 300th victory this weekend in Kansas City. Founded in 1984, Roush Racing has 299 victories in NASCAR’s NEXTEL Cup Series, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series, and road
course events (IMSA, SCCA)(Roush Racing PR)(10-6-2004)
#16 Spoiler Problems: just before the start of the EA Sports 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR brought the #16 Ford of Greg Biffle to pit road to adjust the spoiler. Supposedly the car didn't meet the spoiler angle [55 degrees] measurement and NASCAR made the team adjust the spoiler to the proper angle. Biffle has to start the race at the end of the longest line, which means the back, Biffle was to start 12th.(NBC Race Coverage)(10-3-2004)
Robby Apologizes Again; has talked to Biffle: Robby Gordon repeated his apology Friday for his actions in last Sunday's race at New Hampshire, during which he intentionally wrecked Greg Biffle, but caught up Chase for the Nextel Cup contenders Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart as well. "What happened last weekend obviously I'm sorry for, but I'm more sorry to Tony Stewart and Jeremy Mayfield, putting them behind the eight-ball in this 10-race championship," Gordon said. "I hope they have an opportunity to climb back into the championship. I'm sorry we got into this situation. I didn't intend for it to be this at all." Gordon said he spoke to Biffle Thursday night, but had not yet been able to speak to Mayfield or Stewart, but had tried to reach them. "Between me and Greg there is no issue because he knows what he did and he knows what I did," Gordon said. "I consider Greg not only a fierce competitor but a good friend of mine."
Gordon also denied reports this week by ThatsRacin.com, Speed TV, The Tampa Tribune, The Rocky Mountain News and NASCAR Scene, among others, that he had pushed aside [XM] radio reporter Claire B. Lang after the race while attempting to avoid a gathering of media members. After first saying, "I did not push Claire B. Lang after the race," Gordon responded to a follow-up question later with, "If she got moved a little bit, it was not an intentional shove. If I bumped you, I apologize." For her part, Lang has stated both that she did not recall the incident and that it didn't happen in conversations over the past week. Gordon, who was penalized two laps in the race by NASCAR and also placed on probation by his Richard Childress Racing team, also admitted to using an obscene gesture, but said it was directed to one member of the media, not the group as a whole. Gordon said he also spoke with NASCAR officials Friday morning to "clear the air." NASCAR President Mike Helton "said my punishment I received last weekend for being two laps held should have been embarrassing enough to be what it is."(ThatsRacin.com and the full press conference transcipt at FoxSports)(9-24-2004)
Biffle to have different sponsor(s) in 2005? UPDATE: #16-Greg Biffle's Ford, which carries sponsorship from the National Guard and Subway, will have 'things' different next year [2005], some of the changes could be in form of associates. Speculation has the National Guard not returning. Some of Biffle's sponsors may migrate over to the #99 and Carl Edwards.(Last Weeks NASCAR Scene)(9-1-2004)
AND - Crown Royal allowed to sponsor #99 in 2005? Jack Roush will likely get that $15 million a year Crown Royal sponsorship for [#99] Carl Edwards, according to NASCAR sources.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-1-2004)
UPDATE: Geoff Smith, president of Roush Racing, says he expects National Guard to return to Greg Biffle's #16 team and that he remains hopeful that the team can sign a sponsorship deal with Diageo, which manufactures several brands of hard liquor. Roush Racing still has no sponsor for Carl Edwards' #99 Cup team. NASCAR vetoed the Diageo deal earlier this year because of a policy of not permitting hard liquor advertising. Smith says he's continuing to talk to NASCAR about the sponsorship possibility for a hard liquor brand.(Roanoke Times)(9-11-2004)
Camo Scheme for Biffle in California: This weekend at the California Speedway, the #16 Ford of Greg Biffle will be make laps in what the Army refers to as “urban camo.” Urban camo is a black, white and gray camo that the Army uses when engaged in urban combat. Urban camo is primarily worn by military police and SWAT teams involved in such combat situations. The National Guard Ford will be primarily white with a black and gray camo pattern. Under the urban camo paint scheme is that same car the team took to victory lane at Michigan just two weeks ago. The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation’s longest enduring institutions. The National Guard operates in all 50 states, three territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands) and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit the National Guard website at www.1-800-GO-GUARD.com.(Roush Racing site), see an image of the scheme on my #16 Team Paint Scheme page.(9-3-2004)
Biffle to scale down Busch Series plans in 2005: Greg Biffle told www.teamfordracing.com at MIS that he’s not going to be quite so gung-ho in 2005 with his Busch Series endeavors. Biffle says that a 15-race program would better fit his plans than trying to keep two full-time rides going. Biffle’s travels this year have been very impressive, and if not for a slew of mechanical issues earlier this year would likely be the Busch Series points leader, rather than holding down fourth spot, as he does now.(Team Ford Racing)(8-26-2004)
Biffle's Crew Takes Michigan Honors: While Greg Biffle celebrated victory Sunday at Michigan International Speedway so did his pit crew, which finished first in the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade. It was the third time this season the #16 National Guard crew took home the $20,000 weekly prize. The other No. 1 finishes were at Darlington and the August Pocono race. After 23 races, the reigning McDonald's/POWERade championship crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the chase for the $200,000 season-ending bonus with 827 points. Elliott Sadler's crew is second with 817 points and lurking in third is Tony Stewart's crew with 811 points. Biffle's National Guard/The Flash Ford spent 228.417 seconds on pit road - edging Robby Gordon's No. 31 Cingular Chevrolet's time of 229.287. Joe Nemechek's No. 01 U.S. Army Chevy was third at 235.513. Biffle's over-the-wall crew consists of Adam Emmert (front-tire changer), Jeff Silver (front-tire carrier), Mike Hillman (rear-tire changer), TJ Hamilton (rear-tire carrier), Jeff Merkel (jackman), Donnie Ratledge (gasman), John Eicher (catch can). "I think it's deserving for the day they all had," said crew chief Doug Richert. "It made for a perfect day. Not only were they rewarded with the race win, they got the McDonalds / POWERade pit crew challenge award to go with it. They averaged under 14 seconds per stop, which is a pretty good day."(DMF Communications PR), for the top 10 and season standings, see my Pit Crew News page.(8-25-2004)
Biffle wins at Michigan: #16-Greg Biffle won the GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway, his 2nd career NASCAR Nextel Cup win [he won at Daytona in July 2003]. No Powerade controversy in Victory Lane this week [Biffle is a Coca-Cola driver]. The rest of the top five were: #6-Martin [after a pit stop miscue concerning a lugnut put him back to 28th midway in the race], #88-Jarrett, #42-McMuuray and #9-Kahne. #99-Carl Edwards made quite a debut, finishing 10th. Jeff Burton, in his first run in the #30 AOL Chevy, came home 12th. #48-Jimmie Johnson lost an engine...again, third race in a row, to finish 40th and lost the points lead to #24-Jeff Gordon, who now leads Johnson by 68 points. #9-Kahne moves into 10th in points, 6 points ahead of his teammate, #19-Jeremy Mayfield. The race was slowed by a record tying 9 cautions [for 33 laps]. All five of Roush's cars ended up in the Top 10. Biffle started 24th, which ties a record for the farthest back a winner has started the August race at Michigan, 24th, also done by Harry Gant in 1992.
For my race rundown with lap leaders, caution info, notes and some narritive, the lucky dogs, see my Michigan Race Info/Rundown Page
Race results at:
ThatsRacin.com
Motorsports One
NASCAR.com.(8-22-2004)
Roush helps the Boy Scouts: Multi-team owner, Jack Roush, is the latest in a long line of NASCAR dignitaries to grace the 14th annual MIS/NASCAR Boy Scout Benefit dinner that raises funds for the Great Sauk Trail of the Boy Scouts. The Great Sauk Trail covers six counties, Jackson [MI] included, and has benefited to the tune of $994,000 in the 13 previous events at MIS. The events raise much of the money through an auction of items donated by NASCAR and other organizations and auctioned off by racing legend Benny Parsons. Richard Petty, Bobby Allison and Roger Penske have also been featured guests at the event, which typically attracts a number of NASCAR drivers. The benefit dinner also will contribute funds to Kyle and Pattie Petty Victory Junction Gang Camp, and the Women's Auxiliary of Motorsports. But the big winners of the night were the Boy Scouts, especially the two Eagle Scouts who were awarded $10,000 scholarships. Sixteen high school graduates have been awarded scholarships since 1997, and Christopher Zavicar of Onsted and Mark Spencer of Ypsilanti were the latest recipients.(Jackson Citizen Patriot)(8-21-2004)
3 Wrecks in Friday Practice: Three drivers were involved in wrecks, #09-Pruett, #16-Biffle and #02-Sadler. Pruett was sent to a local hospital to be checked out. No word on who has to go to a backup.(FSN's Totally NASCAR)
AND After evaluation at the infield care center, Pruett was taken to Methodist Hospital for further evaluation and X-rays, IMS officials said. It is unknown what the X-rays were for. Hermie Sadler and Greg Biffle also crashed in practice. Biffle walked away from his wreck, while Sadler was checked and released from the infield care center and was cleared to drive by IMS director of medical services Dr. Henry Bock. Biffle was also checked, released and cleared to drive.(NASCAR.com)
UPDATE: Two accidents took place in short succession in the first hour of practice, and a third occurred 10 minutes before the session ended. At approximately 2:30 p.m. (local time), Scott Pruett did a 180-degree spin midway through Turn 1 and hit the SAFER Barrier with the driver’s side of the #09 Miccosukee Resorts Dodge. The car then slid to the inside of the track and came to rest next to the inside retaining wall in the short chute between Turns 1 and 2.
Pruett was transported by ground to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for further evaluation and X-rays following the accident. He was
released later in the afternoon.
Minutes after the track reopened following Pruett’s accident, the #02 SCORE Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Hermie Sadler suffered heavy right-side damage after Sadler hit the SAFER Barrier in Turn 2. Sadler was unhurt.
At 3:50 p.m., Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 National Guard Ford, spun in Turn 4 and hit the SAFER Barrier with the left-rear corner of
the car, causing heavy damage. Biffle also was unhurt.
Fans were treated to two special events on Friday morning: the Brickyard 400 Golf Challenge presented by Brickyard Crossing Golf
Resort and the Champion’s Chat in the Pagoda Plaza.(IMS PR)
AND #91-Bill Elliott brushed the wall in his Dodge.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-6-2004)
Biffle's Pit Crew Grabs Pocono Win; Sadler's Crew Takes Over Points Lead: Greg Biffle's pit crew won the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade in Sunday's (Aug. 1) Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway. It was the second time this season that Biffle's No. 16 crew claimed the $20,000 first-place prize. In the season standings and the chase for the $200,000 McDonald's/POWERade champion's bonus, Elliott Sadler's crew took over the lead following Pocono with 724 points, three more than Dale Earnhardt's crew. Tony Stewart's crew remains third with 691 points. Sadler's crew earned 40 points in Pocono with a fourth-place finish while Earnhardt's crew picked up 31 points with a 13th-place finish. Biffle's National Guard Ford spent the least amount of time on Pocono's pit road - 339.00 seconds. Casey Mears' Target Dodge came in second with a time of 365.00. Third was Robbie Gordon's Cingular Chevrolet at 375.00. "I feel like these guys have been performing to this quality all year," said Biffle's crew chief Doug Richert. "As a team we were able to capitalize on their performance in Pocono and finish where we've been running all season. It was motivating for the crew because it was the first time they really got to follow through and show the kind of pit stops they've been giving us all year." Biffle said, "That's awesome that they won the pit crew challenge last weekend. We had a good run and that just adds to the momentum going into Indy." Biffle's over-the-wall crew consists of Adam Emmert (front-tire changer), Jeff Silver (front-tire carrier), Mike Hillman (rear-tire changer), TJ Hamilton (rear-tire carrier), Jeff Merkel (jackman), Donnie Ratledge (gasman), John Eicher (catch can).(DMF Communications), for the top 10 and season standings, see my Pit crew page.(8-5-2004)
Biffle says he is staying at Roush: Take Greg Biffle's name out of the 2005 sweepstakes. He says he's staying with Jack Roush, even though it's unclear if his sponsor, the National Guard, will return. Biffle has been under consideration for the third-team ride with Joe Gibbs [#11 Fed Ex Team](Winston Salem Journal)(7-31-2004)
Biffle to Run Cup and Busch this weekend: Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 Roush Racing Ford, will race in Sunday’s NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway and Saturday’s Busch Series race at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Biffle, who is 25th in Cup points and seventh in Busch points, will run the final Cup practice session Saturday and then fly to Pikes Peak International Raceway. Mike McLaughlin will practice and qualify Biffle’s #60 Roush Racing Busch Series Ford.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-30-2004)
Biffle rumors continue: Rumors persist that Greg Biffle is looking to exit his contract with Roush Racing and the #16 Ford at the close of this year. The lead candidate to pick up Biffle is the #1 DEI Chevy.(Motorsport.com), JAYSKI Note: Biffle continues to say he is signed thru 2005 and DEI announced that a sponsor was forthcoming for the #1 Chevy and John Andretti would drive the car in 2005 and 2006 [see #1 Team page].(7-11-2004)
Biffle going for Back-to-back: Roush Racing's Greg Biffle will be shooting for his second straight Pepsi 400 victory at Daytona International Speedway. Only four drivers -- Glenn "Fireball" Roberts (1962-1963), A.J. Foyt (1964-1965), Cale Yarborough (1967-1968) and David Pearson (1972-1974) - have been able to capture back-to-back victories in the mid-summer classic.(DIS PR)(6-29-2004)
#16 Team Gets Cool Ride: Earlier this week the call came in to the Roush Racing shop in Concord, NC. that the National Guard had finalized special travel arrangements for the #16 team. After several weeks of planning, it was confirmed that the team would arrive and depart from Infineon Raceway on Sunday in a CH 47 Chinook Helicopter. The CH 47 Chinook is a tandem-rotor transport helicopter. It is 51 feet in length, weighs approximately 33,000 pounds, has a maximum payload of more than seven tons and travels at up to 150 mph. It requires three crew members and can carry 33 troops. The first Chinooks were built in 1961 and were first used in combat during Vietnam War. By 1968, the Chinook had put in 161,000 hours of flying time, carrying 22.4 million passengers and 1.3 million tons of cargo. Chinook helicopters were also used to transport U.S. and allied troops in the Persian Gulf War. During 2002, the Chinook’s high speed and large payload gave it the lowest cost-per-ton-mile of any transport helicopter available. 300 Chinooks are currently undergoing another modernization process to make them fully compatible with 21st century operational and war-fighting requirements as well as improve the aircraft’s efficiency and effectiveness. The CH 47 used to transport the National Guard crew this weekend will be operated by three members of the National Guard. The Chinook will be brought in to Oakland, Calif. on Saturday for the early morning flight to Infineon Raceway. The team will meet the helicopter at 5:30 am for the 20-minute flight to the track as the garage is schedule to open at 6:00 am. Following the 110-lap event, the CH 47 will be brought back to the Infineon Raceway helipad where it will pick up the National Guard team to take them to Roush Air in Oakland. The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation’s longest enduring institutions. The National Guard operates in all 50 states, three territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands) and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit the National Guard website at www.1-800-GO-GUARD.com.(Roush Racing)(6-25-2004)
More on Biffle to Gibbs: Rumor — Greg Biffle will driver Joe Gibbs' FedEx Chevy in '05
Here's what we know —
1. Gibbs is definitely adding a third car next season.
2. FedEx is definitely on board.
3. Gibbs says he is looking for a veteran driver.
Here's what we think we know —
1. NBS ace J.J. Yeley is too young and too inexperienced to get the ride.
2. Longtime Roush Racing employee Biffle is the perfect age, a proven winner and becoming increasingly vocal about the fact that he isn't getting the same good stuff (i.e. engines and cars) that his four more famous teammates are.
Biffle is flat denying the rumors [and says he is signed for 2005 with Roush] that he will jump to JGR, but don't believe it. Larry Mac is fond of saying "I talked to my people," and I [Ryan McGee] have talked to my own people at Gibbs. When Biffle's names come up, they just smile and say, "I don't know what you're talking about, man."(see more facts/rumors at FoxSports)(6-23-2004)
FedEx.......AND MORE - Biffle under contract thru 2005? UPDATE 2: J.J. Yeley, the Sprint-car star learning the NASCAR ropes in a Joe Gibbs Busch car, will get a shot at Cup racing this fall in five to seven races in a #11 car, expected to be sponsored by FedEx. FedEx interviewed Yeley and Greg Biffle this week for the ride for next season, according to team sources. However, Geoff Smith, head of Roush Racing, says Biffle is under contract with Roush through the 2005 season and he plans to sit down with Biffle later this year and discuss a contract extension.(Winston Salem Journal)
UPDATE: Despite weekly rumors to the contrary, Greg Biffle said he would fulfill his current contract with Roush Racing. Biffle has said repeatedly in recent weeks he would remain with Roush at least through the end of the season. "We're not going anywhere right now," he said Saturday. "Things are getting pretty crazy out there. There are other teams starting up and things going like that, so there's speculation about what's going to happen." Biffle said his priority is to get his #16 team in the top 10 in points and into victory lane. "I feel like we're really close," he said. "I'm working as hard as I can here to get this program turned around and capable of making the top 10 in points."(ThatsRacin.com)
AND even MORE hearing that the #11 will run eight different FedEx paint schemes in 2005, one paint scheme for each of the different companies.(6-19-2004), see below for a LARGE bunch of stories, and even two images of one of the schemes of the #11 car.
UPDATE 2: Greg Biffle adamantly denied recent reports that he is talking to other Nextel Cup teams about leaving Roush Racing. Biffle's name has surfaced in conjunction with a supposed third Joe Gibbs Racing team, but Biffle said neither he nor any of his representatives have talked to another team. Biffle also said his contract runs through next year, and Roush could exercise an option year. Could Biffle get out of his current contract and join another team? Jack Roush is known for having airtight contracts with his drivers, so that doesn't seem likely. Gibbs currently fields Chevrolets for Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte, but the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported this week that FedEx has signed a letter of intent to sponsor a third JGR team. Biffle, who has been public in his criticism of Roush Racing's engine problems this year, was allegedly high on Gibbs' list of potential drivers. But there is no contract between FedEx and JGR, a team source said Saturday. And Biffle was vehement about staying at Roush.(NASCAR.com)(6-20-2004)
IMAGES got two images of the #11 FedEx Chevy, see my 2004 Cup Paint Schemes page
Fed-Ex to Gibbs? 3rd team UPDATE 2 Biffle? Yeley? Letter of Intent IMAGES: Greg Biffle, a former truck and Busch champion, is looking to leave his Roush Racing Cup ride, but he'll be with the #16 car for the rest of this season. He isn't about to risk losing his Roush ride in the Busch Series as he tries to find a new Cup ride. "There's no way I'd ever leave anywhere midseason," Biffle says. "Times are tough, but they're not that tough. I'm going to try to honor all of our contracts that are present. For now, we're going to work real hard to get this Busch and Cup deal turned around." Biffle is sixth in Busch Series points and 23rd in Cup.(FoxSports/Sporting News), see past rumors on the #16 Team News and Links page.(6-14-2004)
AND Federal Express, which once was in the running to be the title sponsor of NASCAR's top series before Nextel came on board, has been in talks with both Joe Gibbs Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. Word in the garage: Fed Ex will end up on a third Cup car for the 2005 season at JGR with J.J. Yeley, a Busch rookie this season, behind the wheel. But Gibbs says it's too early to commit. "Right now, we're in the process of moving through things, and we can't announce anything because the deal isn't done," Gibbs says. "We've been in conversations for a long time but right now it's just a work in progress."(FoxSports/Sporting News)(5-24-2004)
THE UPDATE add...Biffle: FedEx will announce Wednesday that it will sponsor a third Nextel Cup car for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2005. The car will carry the #11, which was the number that J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing, wore as a football player at William and Mary. J.J. Yeley was expected to be the driver of a third Nextel Cup car next year, but the organization wants a veteran driver for the ride. Sources close to the team say that Greg Biffle would be at the top of their list. Joe Gibbs, the Washington Redskins' coach, will play his home games at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. next fall so a relationship already existed between Gibbs and the company that will move from the field to the track next year.(FoxSports)(6-16-2004)
UPDATE 2 Yeley: hearing that FedEx introduced J.J. Yeley and Joe Gibbs at their annual sales meeting in Orlando, FL today with the car, owner and driver [Yeley](6-16-2004)
UPDATE 3: FedEx said Wednesday it has signed a letter of intent to sponsor Joe Gibbs Racing's third car starting in 2005. A driver hasn't been chosen for the #11 FedEx Chevrolet. No financial terms were announced, although UPS's sponsorship of the #88 Ford driven by Dale Jarrett - one of the sport's marquee drivers - reportedly is worth as much as $16 million a year. FedEx confirmed only that it has signed a letter of intent. Gibbs Racing said it expects a contract to be signed within a month. FedEx and Gibbs Racing have been in talks for about 18 months. It hasn't been decided if FedEx will have associated sponsorships with other Gibbs drivers, Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart. One of the candidates to drive the new FedEx-sponsored Chevy is Busch Series rookie J. J. Yeley. Yeley, a Gibbs driver, has one top 10 finish in nine starts and sits 29th in the Busch standings. "What we're going to do is build a list (of potential drivers) based on what kind of potential they have and what kind of equipment they're running already," said Dean Noble, vice president of business affairs for Gibbs Racing. "After interviews we'd narrow the list to a couple of guys who would meet with FedEx. It's truly a partnership putting this team together." FedEx's entry into the sport could help the Memphis Motorsports Park, said vice president and general manager Jason Rittenberry. The track has NASCAR Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series events and covets a place in NASCAR's premier Nextel Cup Series.(Memphis Commercial Appeal)(6-17-2004)
IMAGES got two images of the #11 FedEx Chevy, see my Paint Scheme Gallery.(6-18-2004)
Special Coca Cola Schemes at the Pepsi 400 UPDATE: interesting, hearing that eight drivers will run special Coca-Cola C2 [never flavor of coke, less sugar or something] schemes at Daytona in the July 3rd, 'Pepsi 400'. The drivers? #29-Harvick, #1-Andretti, #91-Elliott, #16-Biffle, #97-Busch, #99-Burton, #21-Rudd and #20-Stewart. See images of the #29 and #1 on my 2004 Cup Schemes page.(6-4-2004)
ADDED: #16, #21, #97 and #99 Coca-Cola C2 to my 2004 Cup Schemes page.(6-5-2004)
UPDATE: Bill Elliott has become a big player in the cola wars that will be fought at Daytona International Speedway next month. The July 3 Nextel Cup race is sponsored by Pepsi, but Atlanta-based Coca-Cola has chosen the event for a huge promotion of its new mid-calorie, reduced-carb beverage, Coca-Cola C2. Elliott, who hasn't raced in Cup since April 4 at Texas, will drive a Coke-sponsored #98 Dodge [not sure how this effects the current #98 Ford team and who would get to use the number, they are listed at #198 for owners, and last I heard, #98 is held by Yates, assume Elliott would be owner #298]. Because his usual car owner Ray Evernham has a deal with Pepsi, Elliott will have to be his own car owner. He will lease the car from Evernham, and after a recent test at Daytona is confident of a strong run. "I'm looking forward to this," Elliott said Wednesday. "Coke's from Georgia and so am I, so for me this is a really neat deal." Seven other drivers will be carrying the C2 colors at Daytona, including #1-John Andretti, who like Elliott, is running a limited schedule this season. Elliott's return as a car owner actually will come this weekend at Michigan when he'll field an ARCA car for his dirt racing buddy, Ray Cook. "Ray's a good young driver and he's worked awfully hard at racing," Elliott said. "I'm just trying to open some doors for him and help him get some credibility."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution) and see the #20 Home Depot/Coca-Cola image on my #20 Team Paint Scheme page.(6-17-2004)
Biffle scheme: This weekend at Pocono you won’t see the red, white and blue #16 National Guard car but you will see the bronze and black #16 Pennzoil SUV, Truck and Minivan/National Guard Ford Taurus. The familiar stars and stripes will return next week at Michigan. Pennzoil is in its first year of partnership with Roush Racing and serves as an associate sponsor on all Roush racecars and racetrucks. Pennzoil also takes on a primary sponsorship role for nine Busch series races in the #9 car with drivers Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton. This weekend Pennzoil has chosen to showcase their SUV, Truck and Minivan motor oils as they take on a primary role on the #16 Ford Taurus driven by Greg Biffle.
The Pennzoil SUV, Truck and Minivan motor oil is specially formulated for the demands of larger vehicles. It combines the strength of a traditional Pennzoil motor oil with a boost of Pennzoil Synthetic to help provide protection against the stress of heavier loads.
Pennzoil SUV, Truck and Minivan provides the following protection for larger vehicles:
• Helps prolong larger vehicle's engine life
• Contains a unique anti-wear additive package to protect the engine during punishing short trips
• Excellent protection against engine strain under heavy loads
• Specifically formulated to provide a thick cushion of lubricant to protect harder working engines
• Helps keep engines running clean in the extreme temperatures created by harder working engines.(Roush Racing PR), see images of the car on my #16 Team Paint Schemes page.(6-11-2004)
The Biffle Rumor Expands: The hottest property is Greg Biffle, whose all-star run-in with Roush Racing teammate Kurt Busch triggered a him-or-me outburst; he appears ready to leave Roush at the end of the season. Biffle is under consideration for rides with Richard Childress, DEI, Chip Ganassi and Ray Evernham, according to sources.(Winston Salem Journal), past news on the rumor, see my #16 Team News and Links page.(6-1-2004)
Biffle to Childress? UPDATE 2: Richard Childress is again considering expanding to a full four-car operation next season, possibly with Greg Biffle, if he can sign him, according to Detroit sources. Bass Pro Shops is willing to provide sponsorship, at about $20 million a year, according to sources.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-28-2004)
AND Biffle is up for renewal in July with Roush, also hearing that Biffle could end up at DEI too.(5-28-2004)
UPDATE: Greg Biffle's future with car owner Jack Roush has been up for debate the last year or so, and the run-in with Busch didn't make things any smoother. This is the last year of Biffle's contract with Roush and car owner Richard Childress has had his eyes on him, according to sources. Biffle, though, preferred not to talk about 2005: "At this time I can't really talk about it. I'd rather not discuss what we've got going right now. All that contractural stuff and what's going on, we're working on it. As soon as we get all of our differences ironed out, I'm sure we'll be more than happy to talk about it." According to insiders, the relationship between Biffle and Busch has not been good for quite a while. Biffle last Saturday did not seem pleased that Roush gave Busch a much stronger engine, one of Ford's new D models. Yesterday Biffle shrugged off the engine situation: "It doesn't matter to me. I was just making a wisecrack when I didn't get one for the Winston. It really doesn't affect me how they distribute the engines."(Winston Salem Journal)
AND Greg Biffle didn't offer too much to dispel recent rumors that he may be looking to leave Roush Racing at some point after the 2004 season. After winning the pole Friday for Saturday's Carquest 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Biffle fielded some questions regarding garage area speculation he may end up with another team. Asked what he could say about his future with Roush Racing, Biffle replied: "At this time I can't really talk about it. I wish I could, but right now I'd rather not discuss what we've got going right now." Biffle did make clear there was no chance he would leave the Roush organization before the end of the season. "No, there's not a possibility for that at all," he said.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-29-2004)
UPDATE 2: As far as the rumors and what's happening in the garage area, guys that are talking about changing around. You have the normal stuff. Who's going to go over to Richard Childress Racing? It had been Jeff Burton, now the latest is Greg Biffle. Don't know there, but most of the focus in the garage area has been, over the last number weeks, about the settlement between Speedway Motorsports and NASCAR. It's well-documented that Rockingham loses its last race, and Darlington loses one of its two races in deference to Texas and Phoenix. The all-star race is going to stay in Charlotte for one more year. So that news kind of had things on hiatus in the garage area, but I would expect through the summer that you'll start to see that churning and who might move in terms of crew chiefs and drivers over the next few months.(FoxSports - NASCAR This Morning)(5-31-2004)
Biffle and Busch are cool with each other: #16-Greg Biffle said he's ready to put his incident with Roush Racing teammate #97-Kurt Busch in the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge behind them, but made no apologies Thursday for being upset by the bump from Busch that ignited a multi-car crash. "I think getting wrecked on the straightaway by your teammate certainly would be something to set a guy off," Biffle said. "That would be like your neighbor burning down your house by accident - you're going to be upset." Biffle said he and Busch talked on Monday. "He felt really bad about what happened," Biffle said. "He wrecked a lot of cars besides ours ... and that wasn't the outcome he planned. He misjudged by a lot and he's got to personally pay the price for that himself. There's nothing I can do about it. It's Kurt's problem. ... We've got to race as if last week didn't happen. Otherwise we're going to handicap ourselves going forward." Busch once again took the blame for the incident. "It was just a stupid mistake on my part," Busch said. "We discussed things on the phone and that helped solidify things. It has been easier to work through this because of how long I've known Biffle and with our relationship in the Truck series and then moving it into Cup. We're two gentlemen and now we're on to the next week."(ThatsRacin.com)(5-28-2004)
Roush to buy out Yates? Garage sources have told Sporting News insider Lee Spencer that Roush Racing has offered to purchase Robert Yates Racing, expanding their engine partnership to team ownership in an effort to pool Ford's Nextel Cup resources. The Yates camp says the rumors are rubbish.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(5-11-2004)
Jackson Hewitt Declares 'Army National Guard Appreciation Week': Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc., the nation's second largest tax preparation company, declared the week of March 29, 2004 "Army National Guard Appreciation Week" at the company's more than 4,900 locations nationwide. To kick off the week, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service will launch its "Support America's Troops" nationwide banner-signing initiative, with the help of Sharpie markers, where taxpayers can sign their names and send messages of support that will be sent to troops stationed across the world. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service and the Army National Guard have partnered on a number of programs aimed at the Army National Guard's recruitment, outreach and charitable efforts. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service is a proud sponsor of the #16 National Guard Ford and Nextel Cup Series Driver Greg Biffle. In addition, Jackson Hewitt offers all National Guard members and their families a tax preparation discount at all Jackson Hewitt Tax Service locations. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service also proudly supports the soon to be announced Army National Guard's "True Champions" charity that will support military servicemen and women deployed overseas. In honor of "Army National Guard Appreciation Week," Jackson Hewitt will donate $5,000 to the "True Champions" charity. Earlier this year, Jackson Hewitt made the first donation to the charity with an initial $5,000 donation, which they presented to the Army National Guard in honor of their racecar sponsorship. In addition to that initial donation, Jackson Hewitt will donate an additional $5,000 for every race Greg Biffle wins on the Nextel Cup Series circuit in 2004. Sharpie, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and sponsor of fellow NEXTEL Cup Series driver Kurt Busch, donated markers for the banner signings across the country.(Yahoo Biz)(3-30-2004)
Pit Crew For Greg Biffle Captures McDonald's/POWERade Win in Darlington: Greg Biffle's pit crew claimed first prize and the $20,000 weekly check for winning the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade in Sunday's (March 21) Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Biffle's Roush Racing teammate - the crew for Kurt Busch's No. 97 team finished third in Darlington and jumped into first place in the McDonald's/POWERade standings with 184 points, 10 more than Tony Stewart's second-place crew. Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew is third with 183 points. The season pit crew champion will receive a $200,000 bonus. Biffle's crew displayed a superior effort in Darlington with a 35-second margin over last week's winner - the No. 31 crew for Robby Gordon. Biffle's Travel Lodge/National Guard Ford spent 378.315 seconds on pit road compared to 413.964 for Gordon's No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet. "This pit crew is awesome," said Biffle. "They totally deserve this award for all their hard work and dedication to the team. This is the second year for most of these guys working together. And not only are they fast but they are consistently fast, which is what it takes to have the competitive edge on Sunday." Biffle's over-the-wall crew consists of Adam Emmert (front-tire changer), Jeff Silver (front-tire carrier), Mike Hillman (rear-tire changer), TJ Hamilton (rear-tire carrier), Jeff Merkel (jackman), Donnie Ratledge (gasman), John Eicher (catch can). The team's crew chief is Doug Richert.(DMF Communications PR), see top 10 at Darlington and standings on my Pit Crew Page.(3-25-2004)
Tony not Happy with Biffle UPDATE: hearing that following the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington Raceway, #20-Tony Stewart from his car to #16-Greg Biffle's hauler to "confront" him. Supposedly there was some incident on pit road where Stewart could not pit when Biffle supposedly cut off Stewart, causing Stewart to have to drive around anther lap to pit, explains why Stewart went from the top-10 to 17th for the final re-start.(3-22-2004)
UPDATE: .....another caution came on lap 275 for oil on the track, which should've set the stage for the #20 team's last pit stop. But as the field headed to pit road, Biffle blocked Stewart from entering the pits. Livid, Stewart was forced to make a full lap around the 1.366-mile oval before getting his scheduled service. The silver lining in all of this was the five bonus points Stewart earned for leading a lap, as all the other lead lap drivers were getting four tires and fuel in their respective pit stalls. That was a tough sell to Stewart, however, as he emerged for the lap 283 restart in 17th.(Truespeed PR/Joe Gibbs Racing)(3-22-2004)
Sad News: F.C. "Charlie" Roush, father of NASCAR team owner Jack Roush, passed away early Tuesday morning in Manchester, OH following a lengthy illness. Roush was known to many in the NASCAR garage as a regular and loyal supporter of the Roush Racing teams. He is survived by his wife, Georgetta; and sons, Jack and Frank. Private family services will be held Friday in Manchester, OH. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the "Charlie Roush Memorial Fund" to benefit the education of disadvantaged youth. All donations can be sent to the "Charlie Roush Memorial Fund" in care of Roush Racing, 4600 Roush Place, Concord, NC, 28027.(Roush Racing Site)(3-16-2004)
Former Car Owner Working on Diversity at Roush Racing: Sam Belnavis was the first black owner in more than 30 years to run a team full time in NASCAR's top series last year, owning the #54 cars Todd Bodine drove. Yet, when Belnavis' sponsor, National Guard, moved to Roush Racing after the season, Belnavis couldn't find a replacement and closed shop. The legacy Belnavis wanted to bequeath his family and minorities also appeared to fade. As one opportunity disappeared, another emerged. Car owner Jack Roush hired Belnavis to be the organization's chief diversity officer. "I have far more resources and Jack is committed to the diversity effort," Belnavis said as crew members - almost exclusively white - worked on cars in the garage area last Friday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "We're going to institute some programs that are going to be in the name of diversity. That's my job." A few blacks have tried ownership but have not had enough success to sustain a full-time effort. There have been fewer drivers. The late Wendell Scott is the only black driver to win a NASCAR race, and that was in 1963. Bill Lester is the only black driver with a full-time ride in the NASCAR's top three series. He competes in the Craftsman Truck Series for Bill Davis Racing. Now, there are a number of programs. Joe Gibbs Racing has a diversity driver program that has a black driver and a Hispanic driver competing in Late Model races. A program supported by NASCAR will place five minority drivers with various Late Model teams in the Southeast. There is also the Roush Racing program that Belnavis heads. Belnavis selected Morty Buckles to compete this season in Late Model races in Virginia, primarily at Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas and Southampton Motor Speedway in Capron. Belnavis also said that he's working with a pair of black go-kart drivers, ages 15 and 16, in the Northeast. Belnavis said he knows that whenever a minority driver moves to the Cup level that person will face many challenges. "There's a tremendous amount of pressure on the teams as well as whomever that individual is in their initial stages of their career," said Belnavis, who has been involved in auto racing for more than 20 years. "So the teams, we have made this commitment that we're going to make sure that whoever we identify as our quote-unquote diversity driver is going to be ready."(Roanoke Times)(3-12-2004)
Biffle and Richert Experience A True Driving Machine: It may not reach speeds of 188.387mph but at a top speed of 45 mph, it can run over pretty much anything that gets in its way. At almost twice the horsepower of a NASCAR Nextel Cup racecar, the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank was a whole new beast to tame for Greg Biffle and Doug Richert, driver and crew chief of the #16 National Guard Ford. They got the opportunity to each try their hand at driving the 60-ton machine last weekend at the National Guard training facility in Las Vegas, Nev. "That's one of the coolest things I've ever done," said Biffle. "It's amazing how much horsepower those tanks have and how fast such a heavy piece of equipment like that can go. It was a pretty smooth ride but I think I got some air in it coming out of one of those holes out there in the desert." Biffle and Richert drove the tanks as part of the footage for a National Guard DVD, which will compare the crew of a NASCAR Nextel Cup team with an M1 Abrams Tank crew. The rest of the #16 National Guard team were filmed at the shop in Concord, N.C. as well as at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in order to show the work and preparation that goes into getting the car ready each weekend. Several Guard members also took their turn in front of the camera at the training center in Las Vegas performing the daily tasks required to maintain and operate the M1. "I have a lot of respect for what these Guard members do," said Richert. "It's pretty cool to have such a close partnership with them and be able to come out here and experience a little bit of what they do. We always have a few Guard members in our pit every weekend now and they get to see some of what we do on the race team but this is the first time we've really gotten to see much of their side of it. These tanks are just amazing and I have a lot of respect for the men and women who both work on them and operate them. The cool thing is that they have the same team concept that we do and it takes everyone involved to make things run smoothly."(Roush Racing PR)(3-10-2004)
Roush/Yates Engine Woes Update: Reigning series champion #17-Matt Kenseth said Roush Racing has determined what caused the engine failures in teammates #6-Mark Martin and #99-Jeff Burton last weekend in Daytona and is confident the problem is corrected. Kenseth said each engine had something different wrong with it.(Fayetteville Observer), however, was not specific on what that something was.(2-22-2004)
Biffle #6: #16-Greg Biffle is the sixth driver to claim his first career pole position in the Daytona 500, following Ramo Stott (1976), Loy Allen (1994), Dale Jarrett (1995), Mike Skinner (1997) and Jimmie Johnson (2002).(Richmond Times Dispatch)(2-9-2004)
Roush and Yates? UPDATE 3 mergine engine programs: hearing Robert Yates Racing and Roush Racing are teaming up to build engines together at Yates engine shop?
hearing it's a two way technology transfer as chassis info is headed back to Yates' group from Roush. It's along the lines of GM's "Key Partners" group. The idea is to have the gear as optimized as it can be, then race amongst themselves for the win ---- which is what GM's been doing with great success this year.(11-13-2003)
UPDATE: hearing more and more unconfirmed rumors that Roush Racing is buying out Roberts Yates two car operation [#38 and #88], but that Yates would maintain the engine side of things and build engines for all seven teams [Yates #38, #88; Roush's #6, #16, #17, #97, #99] and run an engine lease operation.(1-4-2004)
UPDATE 2: been told that Roush is not buying Yates out, but Yates is supposedly doing some engine work for Roush.(1-5-2004)
AND see a column at FoxSports: A Roush-Yates alliance could be RAD for Ford.(1-6-2004)
UPDATE 3: A few versions of how it's playing out: "Jack Roush is buying Robert Yates Racing"; Robert Yates Engines has become the "Official Ford Engine builder of NASCAR" or, as a longer story has it, a Ford Motor Company executive one day wondered why Ford's top teams didn't collaborate on their stock car programs. "Ford has encouraged them to work together, particularly with the new cylinder head having been approved by NASCAR during the offseason," Ford Motorsports spokesman Dan Zacharias said Tuesday. "Roush has not bought Robert Yates; Yates is not building all of the Ford engines used in NASCAR." Finally, the story continues, the Ford executive got the guys together and asked them: "Why don't you all just work together?" Everyone involved supposedly likes the idea that each would no longer waste money on producing something that the other can bring to the table and have, supposedly, already started doing just that. "They've established a cooperative arrangement to work together instead, to get everybody up to speed."(in part from a Daytona Beach News Journal column)
UPDATE 3a: Two of the biggest names in NASCAR racing, car owners Robert Yates and Jack Roush, are merging their engine-building operations, in a stunning development for the two long-time rivals. The move comes, Roush said, to meet the challenge of a tremendous influx of European Formula One technology into stock-car racing over the past 18 months and the pending Toyota challenge. At the moment, the Roush-Yates merger involves only engine technology, but sources said that the opportunity is now there for much tighter work between the two Ford camps - Yates, with drivers Dale Jarrett and Elliott Sadler, and Roush, with drivers Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle. "Ford has encouraged Robert and me to have a 'technology transfer' to become competitive with what Toyota is bringing and what Chevrolet is doing and what Dodge has done," Roush said. The Ford thing has been disjointed. Robert and I didn't cooperate, and Ford was not in a position to carry any amount of meaningful technology to both of us, even though both of us were being funded for different projects. The agreement was to help our programs singularly, but that is just not going to work going forward, because you can't have half a program and get the whole result. So we're working to organize how to build better engines by taking both programs and putting them together. Beyond that there are discussions that could lead to deeper involvements, but those aren't finalized at this point." Some crewmen sense an even deeper merger of the two camps may be looming.(Winston Salem Journal)(1-7-2004)
Past 2003 News
National Guard to the #16? Grainger Out? UPDATE 4: it appears that the Army National Guard will be going to the #16 Roush Racing Ford and driver Greg Biffle, being the primary associate for several races with the option to be a primary for a few select races. Supposedly Grainger will still be on the car but will spilt it's primary sponsorship with National Guard. Also hearing USPS and Subway [Sandwiches - Jarred] could be part of the sponsorhip package.(11-18-2003)
UPDATE: been told that Grainger will not sponsor Greg Biffle or the #16 car in 2004.(11-26-2003)
UPDATE 2: there will be an announcement concerning Greg Biffle and Roush Racing on Wednesday, Dec 10th about the 2004 season and the #16 team.(12-2-2003)
UPDATE 3: A sponsorship deal for the No. 16 Roush Racing Ford and Greg Biffle is expected to be announced soon, with Subway and National Guard splitting the duties.(FoxSports/Sporting News)
AND hearing that Jackson Hewitt Tax Service will be a primary sponsorship for one race and an associate sponsor early in the year.(12-8-2003)
UPDATE 4 sponsorhip - lots of info here:: The Army National Guard announces today it will be the primary advertiser on the Roush Racing #16 National Guard/Subway Ford Taurus Team and for rising star Greg Biffle in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, with Subway Restaurants as co-primary sponsor. Travelodge hotels and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, both Cendant Corporation brands, will be associate sponsors.
The coalition of sponsors will put forth a focused and ambitious marketing effort behind the sponsorship with local and nationwide advertising, promotions and merchandise programs. The National Guard will advertise in the primary sponsorship position on the #16 Ford Taurus throughout the 2004 season, except during select races where Subway, Travelodge and Jackson Hewitt will be featured in the primary locations. In addition, the National Guard will also unveil two special paint schemes during the season.
The Army National Guard (ARNG), a component of The Army, will focus efforts to increase awareness of the Army National Guard and the recruitment of National Guard members. The National Guard will be featured in Subway, Jackson Hewitt and Travelodge Hotel advertising and promotions.
Subway Restaurants continues its support of NASCAR by its co-primary sponsorship of Greg Biffle and the #16 Roush Racing Ford Taurus. Subway local and nationwide marketing efforts and promotions will support the sponsorship with direct consumer programs and television ads. The Subway chain will also hold primary sponsorship positioning on the car for select races during the 2004 season.
Travelodge Hotels and Jackson Hewitt Tax Services will further support the sponsorship with customized marketing initiatives that will
feature special promotions for the NASCAR fan. National programs will be put in place and the NASCAR fan will be able to easily support the series by participating in promotions at each brand's locations.
For more information on the National Guard, visit their website at www.arng.army.mil.
For more information on Subway Restaurants, please visit www.subway.com.
Reservations and further information are available by visiting www.travelodge.com or calling the toll-free Travelodge number, (800) 578-7878, or the Thriftlodge number, (800) 535-9055.
To contact a tax preparer in your area, call 1-800-234-1040 or visit our website at www.jackson Hewitt.com.(see full PR and an image of the car at the Roush Racing site [no need to send me these pics] and see some images of the National Guard Ford at RacingOne), hearing Jackson Hewitt Tax Service will be the primary sponsor at Daytona in Feb.(12-10-2003)
Roush and Yates? hearing Robert Yates Racing and Roush Racing are teaming up to build engines together at Yates engine shop?
hearing it's a two way technology transfer as chassis info is headed back to Yates' group from Roush. It's along the lines of GM's "Key Partners" group. The idea is to have the gear as optimized as it can be, then race amongst themselves for the win ---- which is what GM's been doing with great success this year.(11-13-2003)
Biffle to run all Cup AND Busch races in 2004? New Crew Chief? UPDATE 2: #16-Greg Biffle is considering running the full NASCAR Busch series schedule in 2004 in Roush Racing's #60 Fords - the same team with which he won the 2002 series championship. In an interview Thursday, Biffle said at first he would run "a lot of races" next season. Then later, he added running the whole season was "a definite possibility." Biffle also said he expected Brad Parrott to be his crew chief next season [for the Busch team].(ThatsRacin.com)(11-14-2003)
UPDATE: Jack Roush intends to enter driver Greg Biffle in both Winston Cup and Busch Series championship races next season, with full sponsorships for both programs, Roush said Friday. Like Kevin Harvick in 2001 with Richard Childress, Biffle would run full seasons in both series, Roush said. Grainger, the industrial supply company, will continue to sponsor the Cup effort, with the sponsor for the Busch car not declared. Also, Roush said, the company will continue with the two Craftsman Truck teams for Jon Wood and Carl Edwards and will have a second Busch car, which would be run by up to four different drivers [The Pennzoil sponsorship]. The total effort for Roush Racing would be the five Cup teams, two in Busch and two in Trucks. Biffle, 2000 champion in Trucks, won the Busch championship in 2002 and was graduated to Cup this year, running second to Jamie McMurray in rookie points and winning the summer race at Daytona. Since mid-year, he has run part-time in Busch with Ed Evans's #7 team. The second Busch team is interesting. Roush said he already has backing to run three of his Cup drivers part-time, those being Mark Martin, Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth, in about 20 races. Sponsorship may also be available to run one of the Truck jockeys in the remaining races, bringing the team up to full-year status. Roush also says the means may be available to do a third Truck team with a driver to be named [Terry Cook?].(Speed Channel)(11-16-2003)
UPDATE 2: Along with the full 2004 Nextel Cup schedule, Greg Biffle will compete in all but one Busch Series race next season. Biffle will miss Milwaukee because he can’t physically be in two places at once with the cup circuit running the same day at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. Biffle competed in 14 Busch Series races in 2003 finishing 35th in points with two victories.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(11-19-2003)
National Guard to the #16? it appears that the Army National Guard will be going to the #16 Roush Racing Ford and driver Greg Biffle, being the primary associate for several races with the option to be a primary for a few select races. Supposedly Grainger will still be on the car but will spilt it's primary sponsorship with National Guard. See much more about the 'Guard rumor' past news on my #16 Team News and Links page. Also hearing USPS and Subway [Sandwiches - Jarred] could be part of the sponsorhip package.(11-18-2003)
National Guard to the #99? UPDATE 3 and even MORE, #16 involved?: hearing the National Guard has signed to sponsor the #99 Roush Racing Ford in 2004 with Roush hoping to add another partial sponsor to the deal.(11-8-2003)
UPDATE: The National Guard sponsorship program, currently with the Sam Belnavis/Travis Carter #54 team, appears likely to be headed for the Roush Racing #99, with driver Jeff Burton, next year. Where that leaves BelCar is not yet known. The National Guard, like other service branches advertising among younger males given the current international situation, would be one of several sponsors on the 99 car. Neither side would confirm the transaction, with Carter saying only that Belnavis had a Nov. 22 deadline for a decision, and Burton noting that the team, currently with CITGO, likely would have several sponsors next year -- a growing trend in top-dollar NASCAR team finance. The National Guard sponsorship is reported to be about $6m [I hear 4m] -- hardly enough to support a major team in Cup. However, coupled with associates, the offer could be the missing link to the $15m to $20m required to run a top-level operation. "We feel really good about where we are," Burton said. "We don't have anything to announce, anything to talk about publicly. We feel like we'll have a great company -- companies -- to represent, a lot of fun stuff coming up. We'll talk about all those companies when we can." Carter said the his team has a couple of coals burning for next year, including the previously-announced deal with British Torquespeed, but nothing he was ready to speak about.(Speed Channel)(11-9-2003)
UPDATE 2 - Denied: Roush Racing President Geoff Smith Sunday morning denied firmly that the National Guard sponsorship would be part of the #99 team's package next season. "I can say unequivocally that the National Guard will not be sponsoring the Jeff Burton No. 99 car," Smith said, shooting down reports that the Guard would migrate from BelCar's No. 54 to Roush's 99 next season. Burton confirmed Saturday that sponsorship is in place for 2004 but gave no details. Current sponsor CITGO announced early this year that it would not return in 2004.(Speed Channel Site)
AND? another rumor has Kodak going to the #99, but most race shows/reports on Sunday said it was the National Guard, but am alos hearing the National Guard could end up with Roush and the #16 Car and Biffle but not sure what extent OR the National Guard could end up with the #74 BACE team or stay with the #54.(11-10-2003)
UPDATE 3 - a bit of clarification: Roush Racing President, Geoff Smith, was surprised to read on the Internet that he’d signed a sponsorship deal for Jeff Burton’s #99 Ford. Smith’s only wishes that he had something to announce for the No. 99, but has nothing in hand at this time. “The National Guard is not going to sponsor Jeff Burton in the No. 99,” Smith said dismissing the going rumor that surrounds Burton’s team. Possibly driving the rumor is last week’s visit by Kodak officials to five team shops. The Kodak fact finding mission stopped at Roush Racing, BAM Racing, Bill Davis Racing, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and reportedly to Penske Racing South – where there is interest in starting a third team.
Demand for a sponsor with the prestige of Kodak makes competition fierce and can lead a team to creative ways to optimize their chances of landing the prime contract. One such tactic floats a rumor tying sponsorship from another party to the team competing for the sponsor. The idea is to make the original sponsor, in this case Kodak, believe that a team, Roush Racing’s #99, is no longer a player for Kodak. “It’s a ploy I believe may be in play here,” said Smith of the National Guard rumor.
Smith doesn’t deny that he’s in negotiations with the National Guard, but that would be for another project given the less than full primary Winston Cup dollars that the National Guard has available to a sponsor a team. “There’s some interest in a program with Greg Biffle’s No.16,” said Smith of his ongoing discussions with the National Guard.(Ford Racing)(11-10-2003)
Hot Wheels and Roush Racing: Mattel and Roush Racing announced that the parties have extended their mass retail market die-cast through the 2006 race season. The agreement also includes exclusive rights to the Wood Brothers famed Number 21 program based out of Stuart, Virginia. Team owner Jack Roush, President of Roush Racing, Geoff Smith, Tony DaDante, Vice President / General Manager of Hot Wheels® Racing and NASCAR drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle and current NASCAR points leader Matt Kenseth were in attendance for this special occasion. Hot Wheels cars thundered into the toy world in 1968. Nearly 35 years later, Hot Wheels is a global lifestyle brand and a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of vehicles, playsets and track sets. In addition to leading the way with speed, power and performance, Hot Wheels cars are also Cool Collectibles for adults. For the latest information on Hot Wheels® products, make a break on the information superhighway and cruise over to www.hotwheels.com.(Mattel PR) Also, see info about the Hot Wheel Hall of Fame in my Hall of Fame/Museums page.(11-4-2003)
Pennzoil and Roush in 2004 MORE: Acting to position Pennzoil motor oil squarely at the forefront of NASCAR competition, Roush Racing and Pennzoil have announced a lubrication sponsorship and technology partnership across all Roush Racing teams in all NASCAR series. The program will include Pennzoil participation and associate identification on all Roush Racing NASCAR Nextel Cup (NNC) teams, beginning with the Daytona 500 in 2004. Additionally, Roush Racing will feature a special Pennzoil design and paint scheme on the #16 Greg Biffle NNC entry at Pocono Raceway next June. Capping the sponsorship announcement was the news that Mark Martin, the winningest driver in the history of the NASCAR Series will 'unretire' to race the Pennzoil colors as part of a three driver Busch Series 'Pennzoil Super Team' consisting of Martin, Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton. The three drivers will combine to race different Pennzoil entries in nine Busch Series events during 2004, beginning with Mark Martin at Daytona in February. The Pennzoil-Roush partnership draws on Pennzoil's advanced lubrication technologies, and will provide Roush Racing with not just lubrication products but also with the expertise to maximize the performance side of the engineering equation. An announcement regarding the entire nine race 'Pennzoil' Busch Series schedule for Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton will be made at a later time. Mark Martin will kick off the 2004 Busch Series season at Daytona in a Pennzoil Roush Ford.(Pennzoil PR)(11-2-2003)
More on the deal...and a Kodak mention: The money for the new Roush sponsorship is estimated at $10 million, enough for associate sponsorship decals on all Roush cars and for a 9-race Busch program that will kick off at Daytona. Mark Martin, Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth will each run three Busch races. "This is a full 10-car associate sponsorship," said Geoff Smith, the head of Roush Racing. "So this is a different strategy, and there are different advantages. You have Coke with multiple drivers and now Pennzoil with multiple drivers." Kodak has been interested in a similar program, instead of backing a single team.(Winston Salem Journal), see an image of the scheme on my 2004 Busch Series Paint Schemes page.(11-3-2003)
Biffle to RCR? UPDATE - back with the #16: Greg Biffle may be considering a $3 million deal to drive for Richard Childress, according to sources. But Geoff Smith, head of Roush Racing, says he expects the Winston Cup rookie to be back with Jack Roush next season.(full story and quotes at the Winston Salem Journal) and see another article at ThatsRacin.com: Biffle's remarks: Attempt at humor or foreshadowing?(11-1-2003)
UPDATE: from a NASCAR.com conversation: Q) First of all, we'd love to know your plans, your for-sure plans next year? What's been decided? What's going on with you? A) Greg Biffle: Well, right now the for-sure plans are to run for a championship in the 16 car next year. Preliminary plans are to run quite a few Busch races. We haven't announced that yet, but we're trying to get that finalized. Hopefully in the next little bit, we'll be able to make an announcement of how many races we're going to run and who the sponsor is going to be. We're really excited about both programs for next year.(NASCAR.com)(11-3-2003)
More Teams For Roush? Roush hinted yesterday he might expand to nine or 10 teams next year. He currently fields seven NASCAR teams - five in Winston Cup and two in Busch [actually Truck, none in Busch]. Asked if he would have more than five Cup teams, Roush responded: "Well, right now it's six if you count the Wood Brothers. But it might be more than that." Before expanding, the most pressing issue for Roush still remains signing a primary sponsor for the No. 99 of Burton.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(11-3-2003)
Roush Back in Busch: According to garage sources Roush Racing will announce, at Phoenix, new NASCAR Busch Series team effort for 2004. Roush Racing’s three senior members will drive the car on Saturdays next year with Mark Martin, Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth all taking turns behind the wheel. Sponsorship will come from oil company Pennzoil/Quaker State for the program. Additionally, Roush Racing will soon announce a fulltime NBS effort for Greg Biffle. He is expecting to make the show in all but two of the races when the #60 returns to the track fulltime in 2004. A suitable replacement will handle the car in the two races Biffle can’t drive. No word on who will sponsor the Biffle package.(Ford Racing)(10-26-2003)
Goss leaves Roush; to GM: GM recently hired former #16 Cup Crew Chief Randy Goss to oversee the Chevrolet Silverado Truck fleet and to help transition the body changes every team will undergo for 2004.(Speed Channel)(10-17-2003)
Double Duty for Biffle: #16-Greg Biffle is set to run Cup and Busch races on both the Saturday and Sunday, pulling double duty at Memphis and Martinsville. Biffle's weekend is going to consist of qualifying at Martinsville, Va., on Friday, a trip to Memphis, Tenn., to run the Busch race on Saturday and then back to Martinsville to compete in the Subway 500 on Sunday. Biffle's plan of attack requires quite a bit of travel back and forth to each track. He'll arrive in Martinsville on Thursday evening and get a good night's sleep before tackling the big weekend. Friday he'll participate in the first Winston Cup practice followed by qualifying in the No. 16 Grainger Ford. Afterwards, he's got a helicopter lined up to fly him to Memphis so he can run Happy Hour practice in the #7 Kleenex Chevy Busch car. At the completion of Happy Hour he'll go back to Martinsville for the evening. Saturday consists of a full day as Biffle is scheduled to run both practice sessions in Martinsville before making the trip over to Memphis to compete in the Sam's Town 250. Immediately following the race, Biffle will make the trip back to Martinsville to get rested up for Sunday's big event. Biffle has four starts at Martinsville, three in the Craftsman Truck Series and one in Winston Cup. He has one pole, one top-five and two top-10 finishes at the track. Biffle's first win in the Craftsman Truck Series came at Memphis Motorsports Park, where he went to Victory Lane after starting from the pole position. He has a total of three poles, one win, two top five and three top-10 finishes in six starts at the track in the Craftsman Truck and Busch Series. He's led on 10 different occasions in races run at Memphis for a total of 330 laps.(Roush Racing PR)(10-15-2003)
Richert in the hospital UPDATE: Doug Richert, crew chief for Winston Cup rookie Greg Biffle, complained of chest pains Friday and was admitted to Carolinas Medical Center, team officials confirmed. He was expected to be held overnight for observation and released Saturday. The team's car chief, Mike Hillman Jr., and former Cup crew chief Robin Pemberton, who now works for Ford Racing, oversaw the work on Biffle's #16 Grainger Ford on Friday.(ThatsRacin.com), no updates on Saturday or Sunday.(10-10-2003)
UPDATE: Doug Richert, crew chief for rookie driver Greg Biffle, returned to the track Saturday after a visit to the hospital the day before for chest pains. "I had some pressure in my chest and I don't know if it came from a virus or some kind of chest cold," Richert said. "Everything came back A-OK as far as the treadmill and all the blood work, so I was happy about that." Richert said his family has had a history of heart problems and didn't want to take any chances when he didn't feel well Saturday.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-13-2003)
Roush to be honored: On Sunday, October 12, hometown boy [Manchester, OH] Jack Roush [owner of the #6,#16,#17,#97,#99 Cup cars] will return to Manchester for an event in his honor. Main Street, (SR 136) will be renamed Jack Roush Way. Festivities will start at 2:00pm with a ribbon cutting ceremony and parade. Participants with classic, antique, Mustang and racing cars are asked to line up at 1:30pm on 7th and 8th streets for the parade. The parade will conclude at the Riverbarn on US 52 and festivities for the rest of the afternoon will include an autograph session by Roush, entertainment, a concert by Bobby Mackey beginning at 6:30, and raffles to benefit the Manchester Christmas Light Fund.
(People's Defender)(10-10-2003)
Biffle and DEI? Biffle says he is staying at Roush UPDATE 4 - signed with Rosuh thru 2005?: an odd one I am hearing from a few sources this morning....Greg Biffle is negotiating with DEI for the #1 Chevy beginning with 2004. He supposedly has an out with his Roush contract, one apparently his lawyers found, and is getting ready to make the move. DEI is waiting for a sponsor to sign off, supposedly it could be Kraft [who sponsored the #81 DEI car at Indy and also sponsored some Roush teams in the Winston and Bud Shootout].(9-23-2003)
UPDATE - Biffle says he is staying at Roush: "Take me out of the rumor mill," says Greg Biffle. "I have won two championships and two rookie titles with Roush Racing and for Grainger, and my hope is simply to stay here to try and win more championships for Grainger and for Jack Roush." With that statement Biffle hopes to end "silly season" speculation about his future. "I have time remaining on my current contract and we've begun negotiations for an extension," added Biffle. "At this point in the season, the rumors start to fly about which driver is doing what for next season even when he's under a contract that he intends to honor. It's way too easy to start a rumor these days. I've had a few calls about going other places, but I'm just not interested in doing so. It's very flattering to have big name teams calling me at this point in my career, but I'm driving for one of the biggest names in the industry that has a team of racing and marketing people committed to helping further my career and reach my potential."(Roush Racing PR)(9-25-2003)
UPDATE 2: Greg Biffle's future at Roush Racing is most certainly in question. Biffle told NASCAR.com on Friday that he has no immediate plans to leave Roush, but is exploring the possibility of employment elsewhere. "There's several people who have approached me about doing something different," Biffle said just before his qualifying run at Talladega Superspeedway. "It's not set in stone I'm staying with Roush, not set in stone I'm leaving. But I'm certainly exploring my options." Biffle wouldn't elaborate on his suitors, but did say his current contract runs through the end of 2004, and that no extension has been signed. "This is probably my last career move, to go somewhere for the next five or six years, or next so many years," Biffle said. "I'm relatively happy where I'm at," he said. "We're getting better, let's say. I haven't been happy this whole year, but we're definitely getting better and happier than I have been in the past."(NASCAR.com)(9-27-2003)
UPDATE 3: Rookie Greg Biffle reiterated Saturday that he's not looking to leave Roush Racing. He says he's just exploring his options once his contract expires at the end of next year. "Nothing has changed yet," Biffle said. "We're working on an extension beyond 2004, but I haven't signed anything. "I'm not saying I'm leaving Roush and I'm not saying I'm staying. I just want to see what's best for Greg Biffle in 2005."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(9-28-2003)
UPDATE 4: Greg Biffle is sending mixed signals about his commitment to stay with car owner Jack Roush, and Biffle's name has been mentioned as a possible driver for Dale Earnhardt Inc. next season. However, Geoff Smith, who runs Roush Racing, says Biffle has a contract to drive for Roush for 2004 and 2005. That's a year longer than had been previously revealed. 'The thing that's causing the commotion,' Smith said, 'is that we are in discussions with his agent to extend that. And his agent is checking the marketplace, so they can line up their best negotiating position with us. We're talking about something that's three years off. 'Greg has an agent who's going through the garage, Fred Lexie, who is Kevin Harvick's agent. Fred, every time he walks by a trailer, it's 'Hey, what have you got for my boy?' That's his job.'(Winston Salem Journal); if Biffle is signed thru 2005, and the contract iron-clad, why is this such an issue???(9-29-2003)
UPDATE 5: sources tell me Biffle is signed only thru 2004 NOT 2005.(9-30-2003)
Biffle signs for 2004 - could add more UPDATE: At Roush Racing, rookie #16-Greg Biffle renegotiated the final year of his contract (2004) and is working to add two more years.(from the Sporting News)(9-1-2003)
UPDATE: Greg Biffle, who has one year remaining on his contract, said he's still negotiating with Jack Roush on a contract renewal and hasn't signed anything yet.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-6-2003)
Biffle to start his own Busch team? #16-Greg Biffle is considering starting his own Busch Series team, which would begin operation in 2004. "I'm exploring options right now. I think running in the Busch series really helps my Winston Cup program," Biffle said. "There aren't a lot of Ford Busch teams, so it's tough for me to find a decent ride with someone else." Biffle, who drives the #16 Fords for Roush Racing in Cup, has run several Busch races this season with Evans Motorsports but received some criticism from Ford since Evans uses Chevrolets. "There is such a conflict with Ford and Chevy and we don't want to give information to other teams, so I'm looking into doing my own program," he said. "I would entertain the thought of running a partial or full schedule, even." Biffle said Roush officials have told him they have been trying to put together a Busch program for him. "They've been saying for quite some time that they were going to get something together. We were going to run a part-time Busch deal when we were Truck racing; a part-time Cup deal when we were Busch racing; and now a part-time Busch deal when were Cup racing. None of it has materialized," Biffle said. "If I'm in control of it then I know it's going to happen." Biffle doesn't own a race shop but said the most difficult part would be finding the sponsorship money.(ThatsRacin.com)(9-5-2003)
Biffle Injured? UPDATE no: from The State, a quote Greg Biffle: "Man, my stomach dropped," Biffle said. "I had about a 4-second lead and the flywheel broke coming off (Turn) 2. ‘.‘.‘. "I think it cracked my ribs, it was shaking so bad inside the car. I was in so much pain the last 70 laps; never felt so much pain in my life."(The State)(9-1-2003)
UPDATE: Following last weekend’s Southern 500 Greg Biffle complained that it felt as if he’d broken his ribs from the violent shaking that occurred in the Grainger Ford, after the flywheel exploded. However, according to Roush Racing sources Biffle is just fine and will be ready to go for this weekend’s Richmond International Raceway events. Roush officials said that the report of broken ribs was taken out of context [oops], somewhat, due to the beating that Biffle received in the last 50 laps of the event from the severe vibrations from the broken driveline.(Ford Racing)(9-4-2003)
Biffle signs for 2004 - could add more: At Roush Racing, rookie #16-Greg Biffle renegotiated the final year of his contract (2004) and is working to add two more years.(from the Sporting News) So that kills off another part of the 'rumored' Elliott to retire/Biffle to the #9. See my #9 Team News and Links page for the past stuff on this.(9-1-2003)
Changes soon with the #16? UPDATE 2: Though rookie Greg Biffle won last month at Daytona, his learning curve would be accelerated by the addition of a veteran Winston Cup crew chief. Biffle's crew chief is Randy Goss, who is in his first full Winston Cup season in that job. Roush would not confirm that changes are ahead for any of his teams, but he says he won't wait until the end of the season if he believes a move should be made.(Sporting News), Jimmy Elledge is one possibility.(8-5-2003)
UPDATE: Some shifts and changes have taken place within Greg Biffle’s rookie team. “We have a new program that has a new driver and new crew chief,” Roush Racing president Geoff Smith said of the re-evaluation the team underwent, “to get the right support system around the program.” However, Smith added, “I can tell you unequivocally that [crew chief] Randy [Goss] wasn’t one of the people that will be shifted. That doesn’t mean that he won’t be shifted, but that’s not happened – the reports are premature.”(Ford Racing)(8-8-2003)
UPDATE 2 - Goss replaced by Richert: Roush Racing announced today that Doug Richert has been appointed as crew chief of the #16 Grainger Ford driven by Greg Biffle effective immediately. Richert, currently the crew chief of the Carl Edwards Truck Series #99 entry, has extensive Winston Cup racing experience, including the 1980 series title with Dale Earnhardt and two victories with Neil Bonnett in 1985. Randy Goss will assume the role of Busch Series Program Manager at Roush Racing's Mooresville location where he will oversee the day-to-day operations. Goss is a winning crew chief in all three of NASCAR's elite divisions and he helped secure the 2002 Busch Series Championship and 2000 Truck Series Championship for Roush Racing. Kevin "Cowboy" Starland has been appointed as crew chief for Carl Edwards and the #99 Superchips Ford F-150. Starland, car chief for Biffle's championships in the Busch Series and Truck Series, had also been the crew chief for the cancelled #60 Stanton Barrett program, helping Stanton achieve his best career qualifying and finishing
results.(Roush Racing PR)(8-26-2003)
Feud Settled? During Spencer and Busch's tussle at Michigan, two former combatants were getting along fabulously inside the media center. After finishing in the top five together at Michigan, #29-Kevin Harvick and #16-Greg Biffle, who tried to choke each other after a Busch race at Bristol last year, said their rivalry had ended. "Everybody thinks we fight and bicker," Harvick shrugged. "We just sell hats and T-shirts," Biffle said.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(8-26-2003)
Biffle's Pit Crew Scores Victory at Michigan: Greg Biffle's pit crew captured its first win in the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade by scoring the victory in Sunday's (Aug. 17) race at Michigan International Speedway (MIS). The victory, worth $20,000, was the result of Biffle's No. 16 Grainger Ford spending the least amount of time on pit road during the 220-lap, 400-mile race at MIS. Biffle's car, owned by Roush Racing, was on pit road for 206.124 seconds. The series point-leading pit crew - Michael Waltrip's team - finished second in Michigan (217.808) and Kurt Busch's team was third (228.306). "The Grainger Team has been working around the clock to improve all aspects of our program, and it's nice to see that their hard work is paying off on the track and on pit road," said Biffle, who posted a fourth-place finish at Michigan.. "They've done a great job all season and I'm really proud of their efforts. "Everything came together for us in Michigan and everyone on the team stepped up to the plate.. Our stops were awesome all day and we kept ourselves in position by making the right calls with adjustments, having solid pit strategy and of course having great pit stops.. My hats off to the guys and they definitely deserve this award." Biffle's over-the-wall crew consists of: Adam Emmert (front tire changer), John Gaynor (front tire carrier), Jeff Merkel (jackman), Mike Hillman (rear tire changer), T.J. Hamilton (rear tire carrier), Rodger Ueltschi (gasman) and Mike Abner (catch can). The team's crew chief is Randy Goss and Justin Hines handles the windshield duties.
For the season standings, who has won each week, the top 10 last race, see my Pit Crew Page.(DMF Communications PR)(8-21-2003)
Elliott to Retire at End of 2003? hearing rumors that Bill Elliott, driver of the #9 Dodge Dealers Dodge with Evernham Motorpsorts is considering retiring at the end of the 2003 season. Rumored driver to replace him? Greg Biffle.
HOWEVER two recent reports seem to indicate Elliott is racing in 2004 and Biffle is close to reupping with Roush Racing and the #16 team:
Evernham not changing drivers: There has been talk that Brendan Gaughan, who leads the Craftsman Truck Series in points and victories (four), might move to Cup racing in 2004, possibly with Evernham Motorsports. Though Gaughan, 28, tested for the organization in the past, team owner Ray Evernham says the next logical step for Gaughan would be the Busch Series. One thing is certain: Evernham has no intention of replacing Bill Elliott or Jeremy Mayfield next year. “For his age (47), Bill is one of the best drivers I've ever worked with, and he carries our deal on his back a lot of the time,” Evernham says. “I feel like I owe him a lot.” …(Sporting News)(8-20-2003)
AND Biffle not signed...yet: during a NASCAR This Morning [Fox Sports Net - each Sunday at 10:30am/et] #16-Greg Biffle was interviewed and asked by John Roberts if he was signed for next year [2004], Biffle said no, but they are working on a contrat extension for next year and beyond and to do some Busch Series racing.(8-10/20-2003)
Biffle not signed...yet: during a NASCAR This Morning [Fox Sports Net - each Sunday at 10:30am/et] #16-Greg Biffle was interviewed and asked by John Roberts if he was signed for next year [2004], Biffle said no, but they are working on a contrat extension for next year and beyond and to do some Busch Series racing.(8-10-2003)
Roush, Yates and Wood Bros re-up with Ford: Ford Racing officials on Friday announced they had signed new, five-year contract extensions with three of the top Ford teams in Winston Cup - Robert Yates Racing, Roush Racing and Wood Brothers Racing.
Together, the organizations field eight Cup teams each weekend and include such drivers as 1999 champion Dale Jarrett, current series leader Matt Kenseth and veterans Mark Martin and Ricky Rudd, among others. "Loyalty is something that we just take extremely seriously at Ford," said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing. "We like to reward loyalty and these three organizations have been so loyal to us that I felt it was important for Ford and Ford Racing to demonstrate our loyalty to them. We've picked our dance partner and for Ford Motor Co. and NASCAR, these are our dance partners." These organizations were also instrumental in the development of the 2004 Ford Taurus, which will be officially submitted to NASCAR this week for competition beginning next season. "The kind of commitment that need to made for research and development and pooling of information and for the development of strategies can't be made on an ad hoc basis," said team owner Jack Roush. They can't be made annually. They almost have to me made with a decade in mind, and this certainly is moving in the right direction."()(8-1-2003)
New Scheme for Biffle: #16-Greg Biffle will be running a revised version of the primary Grainger paint scheme this weekend at Indianapolis. The front end of the race car has been changed to red from black and the car will run this way for the remainder of the season.(Roush Racing PR)(7-30-2003)
Parrott to PE? maybe Roush? UPDATE 3 looks like neither: Sources in the garage say former Robert Yates Racing crew chief Todd Parrott could be coming out of retirement and headed for Petty Enterprises -- if the Pettys can afford the seven-figure price tag it would take to retain him.(more 'Dish' at Sporting News)(7-21-2003)
UPDATE: Earlier this year, Todd Parrott was released as director of competition at Robert Yates Racing. Earlier this week, there was a report that Parrott may wind up with Petty Enterprises, but a source told me Friday that Parrott could wind up at Roush Racing. We'll keep you posted on that.(Fox Sports Net's Totally NASCAR)(7-26-2003)
UPDATE 2: Crew chief Todd Parrott is shopping for a job, and two places he's applied are Petty Enterprises and Roush Racing. But sources say that Parrott won't be offered a job with Roush. 'Todd came to me, and I have talked with him,' Jack Roush said, without further explanation.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-28-2003)
UPDATE 3: Petty Enterprises has talked to Todd Parrott about its General Manager's job, but Kyle Petty says Parrott will not be joining the team. Petty continues to look for a GM for the team.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to view)(8-1-2003)
Roush Racing Gets Award: A few Roush Racing representatives recently attended Grainger Industrial Supply’s 16th annual CFQ1 Supplier Recognition Event on Monday, July 21, where Roush Racing received its fourth consecutive award for exceptional performance and commitment as a marketing services supplier. Each year Grainger invites its top performing suppliers to honor them for their “Customer Focused Quality” and their vital contribution to Grainger’s continued success in the maintenance, repair and operating supply business.(Roush Racing Site)(7-25-2003)
HUGE UPSET at THE PEPSI 400: Rookie of the Year candiate, #16-Greg Biffle WON the Pepsi 400 at Daytona...WOW. Biffle's teammate, #99-Jeff Burton ended up 2nd as #18-Bobby Labonte ran out of gas with a 1/2 lap to go, Lanonte ended up 5th as he coasted to the start/finish. Biffle is the first ever Rookie of the Year Candiate in the Modern Era [1972-present] to win a race at Daytona. See my Pepsi 400 Race Info page for my race rundown, caution explanations, notes and stuff.
Race Results at Jayski's Pepsi 400 Results Page or at:
ThatsRacin.com
MotorsportsOne
NASCAR.com(7-5-2003)
#16 when Greg Biffle won with the #16 at Daytona on July 5th, 2003, it was the first time since September 1st, 1975 at Darlington when Bobby Allison won that the #16 has been in victory lane. See my Wins by Car Number/First and Last wins by car number page.(7-9-2003)
Biffle Joins Exclusive Crowd: With his Winston Cup win at Daytona on Saturday night, Greg Biffle became the sixth driver to win a race in all three of NASCAR's national series [Cup, Busch, Trucks]. The club also includes Mark Martin, Bobby Hamilton, Kevin Harvick, Terry Labonte and Ken Schrader. Biffle owns Busch and Truck championships.(FoxSports)(7-9-2003)
Biffle in a different GM car at Chicago...but just to qualify UPDATE will run the race: Winston Cup rookie and former Busch series champion Greg Biffle is entered in Saturday's Busch race at Chicagoland Speedway, but not with the team he raced with last weekend at Daytona. Biffle will not drive Evans Motorsports' #7 Chevy, which he drove last weekend in place of Randy LaJoie, who was released from the team. Instead, Winston Cup driver Joe Nemechek, whose Nemco Motorsports Busch team is partners with Evans, will drive the #7. David Reutimann will drive Nemco's #87. In addition, Biffle will attempt to qualify Nemco's #88, a car the team often uses to collect last-place money in races. Biffle can ensure the car will make the field since, as a past series champion, he is guaranteed a provisional. Biffle is not expected to start the race in the #88, however, team officials said. Ford Motor Co. expressed concern with Roush Racing's decision to allow Biffle, who drives Fords in Cup, to drive a General Motors product in the Busch race at Daytona. Biffle, who won his first Winston Cup race Saturday night at Daytona, agreed to drive Daytona as well as "selected other races for the remainder of the season" for Evans. Ford has not been pleased with Biffle's decision to drive non-Ford products. Roush and Ford officials met over the weekend on the matter. In May, Ford nixed a one-race deal Biffle had to compete in the inaugural NASCAR Truck series race at Charlotte because Biffle was planning to enter a Dodge truck.(ThatsRacin.com), no word on who will run the #88 in place of Biffle for the race.(7-8-2003)
UPDATE: Joe Nemechek is entered at Chicago and will drive the #7 Kleenex/Scott Brands Chevrolet. Last week at Daytona, 2002 NASCAR Busch Series champion Greg Biffle finished 23rd in the #7 car and was able to use that experience en route to his first NASCAR Winston Cup Series victory one night later in the Pepsi 400. Biffle will get more series seat time Saturday in the #88 Chevrolet owned by Robert Overman and led by crew chief Brian Pattie, who normally serves as Nemechek's crew chief with the #87 CellularOne Chevrolet. That car will be driven by David Reutimann with Eric Phillips as crew chief.(NASCAR PR)(7-9-2003)
Biffle helps boost a rookie streak, and takes points lead: A Raybestos Rookie Contender has now won at least one race every season since 1999, dating back to Tony Stewart's win at Richmond in September, 1999. Other freshman drivers to win: Earnhardt Jr. (Richmond, 2000), Matt Kenseth (Charlotte, 2000), Harvick (Atlanta, 2001), Newman (New Hampshire 2002), and Johnson (Charlotte and both 2002 Dover races). The record for most wins by a Raybestos Rookie is held by Stewart, who won three races in 1999 (Camp and Assoc PR). With the win Saturday night, Greg Biffle vaulted past Jamie McMuarry in the Rookie of Year race and has a 6 pointss lead, with one less race run [Biffle DNQ'd at Las Vegas](7-7-2003)
LaJoie released from #7 ride, Biffle in UPDATE 2: Two-time Busch series champion Randy LaJoie was released Monday from his ride with Evans Motorsports and the #7 Chevrolets, ThatsRacin.com has learned. LaJoie, 41, finished 11th in Sunday's race at The Milwaukee Mile. He is 16th in points with four top-10 and two top-five finishes this season. He also won poles at Nashville and Nazareth this season. LaJoie could not immediately be reached for comment. Former Busch champion and current Winston Cup rookie Greg Biffle is a candidate to replace LaJoie for the remainder of the 2003 season, sources said. LaJoie has 15 wins in his career and won series championships in 1996 and 1997. He joined Evans Motorsports in 2001. His best season with the team was 2002, when he was 11th in points. Evans Motorsports, owned by Ed Evans, is partners with Nemco Motorsports, owned by Winston Cup driver Joe Nemechek.(ThatsRacin.com) AND Evans Motorsports announced this morning that Randy LaJoie driver of the #7 Kleenex Chevy has been released from the team. Evans plans to try several different drivers in the #7 car over the next several weeks. Cup driver and the defending Busch Series champion Greg Biffle will drive at Daytona this week. Biffle will also drive other select races for the remainder of the year. Expect Winston Cup veteran and this year’s only three time Busch Series winner Joe Nemechek to drive a few races as well.(Evans Motorsports PR via BGNRacing.com) JAYSKI NOTE: it seems doubtful Biffle would drive since the team fields GM cars, Biffle was to drive a Dodge truck at Lowe's in May and Ford objected.(6-30-2003)
UPDATE - LaJoie Fined? Evans Motorsports also said it was fining LaJoie $25,000 for comments it deemed detrimental to the team and Nemco Motorsports, which fields Nemechek in the Busch Series.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-1-2003)
UPDATE 2: XM Radio is reporting that Ford has concerns that Biffle will be driving a GM car in the Busch Race at Daytona, this may end up being a one-race deal only.(XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio - Subscription Required) AND Ford Motor Co. has expressed concern with Roush Racing's decision to allow its Winston Cup rookie, Greg Biffle, to compete in the NASCAR Busch series with a team which fields General Motors cars. On Monday, Evans Motorsports released driver Randy LaJoie from its #7 Chevys and issued a news release indicating that Biffle, last season's Busch champion, would drive the for the team at Daytona and "other select races for the remainder of the year." However, Ford and Roush officials disputed that claim Thursday. Roush spokeswoman Stephanie Smith said Biffle's participation was approved only at Daytona and the team and Biffle would discuss any future races next week. "We are disappointed that Greg Biffle will be competing in a (Pontiac) in the Winn-Dixie 250 at Daytona International Speedway and we have had conversations with Roush Racing to air our concerns," said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology. Roush currently fields Fords for Biffle, Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch and points leader Matt Kenseth in Winston Cup. In May, Ford nixed Biffle's plans to compete in the inaugural NASCAR Truck series race at Charlotte in a Dodge owned by Ultra Motorsports. On Thursday, Ford officials again expressed displeasure with Biffle competing in a non-Ford product. "We understand Roush Racing's desire to find an economical way to get Greg some valuable seat time, especially at an important track like Daytona," Davis said. "We will resolve this. This will absolutely not have an adverse affect on our long-term racing partnership." Smith agreed. "It's about giving Biffle an opportunity to be in an environment where he can go win and get more track time in quality equipment," Smith said. "Ford is a longtime fabulous partner and we don't want to do anything to upset them. But we really want to make sure that we do everything we can within reason to help Greg get more track time and improve."(ThatsRacin.com)(7-3-2003)
The Great Race 2003 UPDATE: A unique automobile race, beginning on Saturday, June 21st – one that emphasizes precision over absolute speed, an arduous 15-day, 15-state, 4000-mile precision speed rally with a purse of $250,000 divided among the top finishers in the field of 110 teams. One of the event’s special features is that it is open only to historic and vintage automobiles, 45 years or older. In fact, three of the cars competing this year, a 1909 Lozier driven by Corky Coker, a 1910 Selden driven by Frank Currie, and a 1911 Marmon Speedster driven by Chic Kleptz, were manufactured within ten years of the historic 1903 speedfest. And another six were built before 1920. Teams are divided into four classes, but despite the wide range in age and performance of the cars, every team is able to compete for the overall Grand Championship because technically the Great Race takes the form of a Time-Speed-Distance rally. Event officials use modern technology, including video cameras and electronic timers at checkpoints, to keep score. Jack Roush, one of NASCAR’s prominent team owners has a direct interest in The Great Race.. Roush, who fields five Winston Cup teams, has two teams entered in The Great Race and is a member of Rally Partners as well. Check out daily reports during the event on the Great Race’s website at www.greatrace.com.(6-21-2003)
UPDATE: Jack Roush not only supports the Great Race; for one day, at least, he plans to be a participant. Roush, along with Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 Grainger Ford fielded by Roush Racing in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, will make the trip from their corporate offices in Concord, NC to Darlington Raceway in high style, driving a maroon 1940 Ford Deluxe 5/W Coupe to the track "Too Tough To Tame" as the Great Race visits Darlington on Wednesday, July 2.(Darlington Raceway PR)(6-24-2003)
Roush Racing to Open Destiny 3 Studio: Roush Racing will become the first NASCAR team to open its own in-house photography studio when Destiny 3 Studio opens June 16th. The full service studio will be located inside of Roush Racing’s newly built corporate headquarters located by its Winston Cup facilities in Concord, N.C. Destiny 3 Studio will be just one facet of the state-of-the-art 83,000 square foot Roush Racing world headquarters and museum opening this month. Destiny 3 Studio can accommodate a variety of shoots that include automotive, fashion, portrait, food, film and video. The facility is spacious enough to photograph five cars at once, from the ground level or from a second-floor catwalk. The 3,200 square foot facility will also have complete private hair, makeup and styling
rooms, and a comfortable client lounge with work stations and internet access. Destiny 3 Studio will also be promoted to photographers,
designers, ad agencies, film and video productions nationwide. In a related move, Action Sports Photography, Inc. will be relocating from Cornelius, N.C., to office space directly next door to the new facility and will also be using Destiny 3 Studios as its choice for studio photography. The new studio, as well as the new Roush Racing corporate headquarters, is located on Roush Place next to Concord Regional Airport, just minutes from Lowe’s Motor Speedway and a short drive from uptown Charlotte. The 25 acre complex is already home to Roush Racing’s five Winston Cup teams.(Roush Racing PR)(5-22-2003)
Biffle to run Lowe's Busch race: Roush Racing confirmed that reigning Busch Series champion Greg Biffle would be in the Carquest 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the #9 Ford. That car was fielded with Winston Cup driver Jeff Burton last season in Busch competition.(ThatsRacin.com) AND Greg Biffle is set to make his first Busch Series start since wrapping up the 2002 championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 16. The event: the Carquest Auto Parts 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 24. The car: the #9 Uh-Oh! Oreo Ford prepared by Roush Racing. Kraft Foods North America is extending its partnership with Roush Racing, taking the opportunity to introduce one of its newest products to race fans with a one-race sponsorship of the #9 Uh-Oh! Oreo Ford
Taurus. Kraft Foods' involvement with Roush Racing also consists of the Team Kraft sponsorship, which includes an associate sponsorship of Biffle along with teammates Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton and Kurt Busch in the Winston Cup Series. The #50 Craftsman Truck Series team will setup the car and service it throughout the weekend with Jon Monsam performing the crew chief duties.(Roush Racing PR)(5-14-2003)
Roush Street: NASCAR multi-team owner Jack Roush was the keynote speaker during a luncheon Wednesday for the Motorsports Madness 2003 event held at Concord Regional Airport by the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce. The event unites businesses related to motorsports. Roush’s company employees about 1,800 people in five states, 350 of which are employed in this region. With Roush moving his world headquarters and museum to Cabarrus County, many more jobs are expected. Concord Mayor Scott Padgett honored Roush Wednesday by designating the road that leads to Roush Headquarters as Roush Place NW. It was formerly Downwind Boulevard.(Independent Tribune)(5-8-2003)
Biffle to run Truck race UPDATE 2 deal squashed: Winston Cup rookie and former NASCAR Truck series champion Greg Biffle has entered the inaugural Truck race at Lowe's Motor Speedway, ThatsRacin.com has learned. Biffle, the 2000 series champion, will drive the #7 Dodge for Ultra Motorsports, which fields Dodges for #1-Ted Musgrave and #7-Jason Leffler. Biffle, 33, is expected at the speedway Tuesday and Wednesday for an open test in preparation for the May 16 Hardee's 250, sources said. Biffle's last appearance in the series came in November 2001, when he won the race at Phoenix driving the #99 Ford for Roush Racing. He now drives the #16 Ford for Roush in Winston Cup. In 80 career Truck starts, Biffle has 16 wins, 12 poles, 42 top-five and 53 top-10 finishes.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-5-2003)
UPDATE: Greg Biffle's one-race deal to run the inaugural Truck series race at Lowe's Motor Speedway has come to an abrupt end. Unforeseen sponsor conflicts will prevent Biffle from driving the #7 Dodge for Ultra Motorsports in the May 16 Hardee's 200, team officials confirmed Tuesday.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-6-2003)
WHY? Roush Racing's Greg Biffle had agreed, and it had been announced, on Tuesday that he would drive the #7 Ultra Motorsports Dodge in the upcoming Hardees 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 16. Later in the day, Roush Racing announced that Biffle would not be racing in the inaugural Craftsman Truck event in Charlotte, citing sponsor conflicts. Ford Racing confirmed last night that the Dearborn-based automaker surfaced the concerns that resulted in the turnabout.(Ford Racing)(5-7-2003)
Sponsorships Up: Roush needs 4? Pennzoil looking? UPDATE 2: Car owners working the sponsorship marketplace are starting to put offers on the table, and the next few weeks will likely be filled with rumors of possible driver and team changes, rumors based on some contract negotiating points. Jack Roush needs to lock up sponsors for four of his five teams, and DEI's sponsorship deal with Pennzoil is up for renewal. The Pennzoil contract may be the hottest one at the moment, and it's not at all clear if the company will remain with DEI.(Winston Salem Journal)(4-14-2003)
UPDATE: my records show that only the #99 is unknown, the #6 is thru 2005, the #16 and #17 are at least thru 2004 and the #97 is supposedly thru 2006.(4-15-2003)
UPDATE 2: Roush Racing’s president, Geoff Smith, spoke with Team Ford Racing regarding the status of the sponsorship deals on the five NASCAR Winston Cup cars his operation runs. Smith began by saying that of his five entries only Greg Biffle’s #16 Granger Ford is 100 percent locked-in with sponsorship, which spans through the 2005 season. Deals are pending with Matt Kenseth’s, Mark Martin’s, Jeff Burton’s and Kurt Busch’s existing sponsors, but are not complete, yet. Pfizer, via its Viagra brand, has a contract with Martin’s #6 team through the end of this year, with an option through the 2005 season. DeWalt, which sponsors Kenseth’s #17 Taurus, inked a one-year deal in 2002 for space. Burton’s #99 and Busch’s #97 both need renewals. Smith told TFR that he’s been “in detailed discussions for a period of time” with the four sponsors that are currently on Roush Cup entries and “in every case we’re past the stage of money.” Smith said that he hopes to have signed sponsors contracts near the end of May. His job is made somewhat easier, despite the tight economy, with programs among the strongest in the industry. As Smith works with potential sponsors the cars sit first (Kenseth) and fourth (Busch) in the point standings and the stable has two marquee drivers in Martin and Burton. Additionally, Smith said there is “interest in our programs beyond these [sponsors].”(Ford Racing)(5-1-2003)
Biffle Injured: #16-Greg Biffle is driving with a cast on his left arm after he sprained his wrist Tuesday when he slipped and fell out of his motorhome on Tuesday. "It doesn't hinder me to drive or anything," he said. "I'll be good by Richmond [next week]."(Roanoke Times)(4-27-2003)
Pocono's France award goes to Jack Roush: Winston Cup car owner Jack Roush [#'s 6,16,17,97,99] has been named the recipient of the 2003 Bill France Award of Excellence, presented annually by Pocono Raceway. The award, first presented in 1977, is named for the late NASCAR founder and is presented to a person, company or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the sport. The award is a sculpted and highly polished piece of anthracite mined in Pennsylvania and will be presented in a ceremony on June 7 at the speedway.(ThatsRacin.com)(4-26-2003)
Roush Comments on the Restrictor Plate Racing: Jack Roush might have a new lease on life, and the accompanying attitude that a near death experience brings, but Roush has no love in his heart for the racing venues known as Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.
Roush can rattle-off reason after reason why restrictor plate racing should become a thing of the past, including:
• Four races of the year cost the same as a whole program
• He’s tired of hauling wrecked cars home from such tracks
• He dislikes requiring his drivers endure the experience.
But, Roush sums-up the entire exercise — taxing. Add the new no call from NASCAR angle from last week’s Talladega race, where Roush had a vested interest in the winner, and he just shakes his head. “Five teams is probably a fifteen million dollar proposition,” Roush said regarding the investment that is made to prepare Mark Martin’s, Jeff Burton’s, Matt Kenseth’s, Kurt Busch’s and Greg Biffle’s cars for probable destruction on a plate track.(See full story at Ford Racing)(4-14-2003)
Roush 'Virtual' Engine? Some rival engine men say they believe that Roush Racing has been using an experimental engine-design program that creates a virtual engine inside a computer. If that is true, then Roush could be on the verge of a major breakthrough. And that would certainly be worth the risk of blowing a few motors. However, those rivals say that the problem at the moment is that those new engine designs need a lot more track time to prove their worthiness.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-25-2003)
New Tire Changer for the #12 and the #16: been told that Dennis Terry has left the #16 Roush Racing team as the front tire changer and moved to the #12 Penske Racing Dodge team. Mike Hillman [not the #11 Crew Chief] will change rear tires on the #16 with car chief, Adam Emmertt moving from the rear to be the new front tire changer. See my Pit Crew Chart for most the full time Cup Pit Crew members.(3-12-2003)
Biffle to use Kenseth backup at Daytona: #16-Greg Biffle said that the team plans to use a backup car from teammate #17-Matt Kenseth for the Daytona 500 rather than one of their cars following a poor test session during NASCAR Preseason Thunder at Daytona earlier this month.(NASCAR PR)(1-29-2003)
Past 2002 News
#16 Scheme: been told the 2003 #16 Grainger Ford scheme has been selected, see my Paint Scheme Gallery for the chosen pic.(12-27-2002)
Biffle back in the #44 at Homestead: Greg Biffle, who clinched the BGN championship on Saturday, will drive the #44 Georgia Pacific 44 Dodge in the Cup season finale at Homestead. The race will mark Biffle's seventh Cup start of the year - the most allowed by NASCAR for a driver to claim rookie status the next season. Biffle is moving to Cup in 2003 with his Roush Racing [#16] team.(ThatsRacin.com)(11-11-2002)
Biffle's plans: are to run up to five races for the #55 team as Hamilton's sub and to run the Atlanta Cup race in the #16 Grainger Ford. Biffle has run one race in the #16 Ford and can only run 7 races so not to lose rookie eligible(9-17-2002)
Hamilton hurt in CTS race UPDATE 3 will miss three Cup races, Biffle to drive at RIR, NHIS and Dover: Bobby Hamilton, driver of the #55 Schneider Electric Chevy in Cup, was taken to Memorial Regional Medical Center after Thursday night's CTS race at Richmond International Raceway. He was to be evaluated for pain in his right shoulder, left wrist and left collarbone following an accident on the final lap of the race. Hamilton hit David Starr from behind in Turn 1 as the final lap began. In all, 10 trucks either wrecked or spun out from the incident. Hamilton's condition was not known late Thursday. He is scheduled to qualify his #55 Andy Petree-owned Chevy Friday in preparation for Saturday night's Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400.(ThatsRacin.com) AND Hamilton was taken to a hospital as a precaution after the race complaining of a sore right shoulder, left wrist and other aches.(Daytona Beach News Journal/AP)
UPDATE: Bobby Hamilton will miss the next three Winston Cup races after suffering a broken right shoulder blade and left wrist in a wreck on the final lap of Thursday night's Virginia is for Lovers 200 Truck race at Richmond. Greg Biffle will drive the #55 Chevy owned by Andy Petree in Saturday night's Chevrolet 400. That will break a streak of 266 consecutive Winston Cup races in which Hamilton has started. No interim driver for races after this weekend has been determined. Hamilton was driving a No. 4 Dodge truck he owns in Thursday night's race. As he went into Turn 1 on the final lap, running in the top five, he made contact with another truck and crashed hard into the outside wall. He rebounded across the track and was hit several times by other trucks racing on the final lap of the race won by Tony Stewart. "I'm not really sure what happened," said Hamilton, whose right arm will be immobilized by the shoulder injury. "I realized I was spinning toward the wall and going to hit on the driver's side, so I turned the wheel the opposite way. I hit the wall and it pushed me back down the race track, where I got hit several times."(ThatsRacin.com)(9-6-2002)
UPDATE 2: Fox Sports Net's NASCAR This Morning reports Greg Biffle will drive the #55 APR Chevy for the next three races, Richmond, New Hampshire and Dover. BUT Hamilton will be sidelined for three weeks, but car owner Andy Petree has not determined the plan beyond this week’s event.(Ford Racing)(9-7-2002)
UPDATE 3: Andy Petree Racing officials confirmed late Saturday BGN points leader Greg Biffle would continue to drive the #55 Chevy until the team's regular driver Bobby Hamilton returns. Hamilton suffered a broken right shoulder blade and cracked left wrist in Thursday night's Truck series race. He is expected to miss from three to six races, including Saturday night's race at Richmond. Biffle is expected to drive the #55 next Sunday at New Hampshire and the following weekend at Dover. He will continue until Hamilton returns or his rookie status becomes in jeopardy. Drivers are allowed to run up to seven Winston Cup races without losing rookie status the next season. Biffle currently has two Cup starts in 2002.(ThatsRacin.com)(9-8-2002)
Biffle at MIS: BGN points leader Greg Biffle will try to make his second-career start in a NASCAR Winston Cup event by attempting to qualify for the Pepsi 400 televised on TNT from Michigan International Speedway on Sun., Aug. 18. Biffle will be driving the #16 Roush Racing, TNT-sponsored Team Caliber Ford Taurus and will be working with the same Grainger team he currently works with in the BGN. Biffle's only other start in a NASCAR Winston Cup points race came at California Speedway on April 27, where he qualified 29th and finished 13th. On Saturday Aug. 17, TNT racing analyst Wally Dallenbach will get behind the wheel for BGN from Michigan. This will be the first of three races he will run for Tommy Baldwin Racing and sponsor "Pepsi". Dallenbach, currently an analyst for TNT/NBC's NASCAR coverage, drove in more than 200 races during his 10-year career on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit. With Dallenbach in the car, TNT will be able to bring viewers even closer to the action as analyst Benny Parsons and play-by-play announcer Allen Bestwick talk to him throughout the race as the network airs the race at 1:30pm/et. Additional cameras will also be installed in Dallenbach's car showing front, rear and side views, as well as, showing his feet and hand movements. This allows fans to see the footwork and movements required by drivers in order to navigate the two-mile superspeedway.(Turner PR), see images of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(8-16-2002)
Biffle Tests Cup Car at MIS: In preparation for the upcoming Pepsi 400 at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) on Aug. 18, Greg Biffle and the #16 Roush Racing team headed to the two-mile track for a two-day test session. Crew chief Randy Goss and the entire Grainger squad will be making the jump to Winston Cup with Biffle in 2003, so they are working the races and test sessions this season in order to get acquainted with the new program. The team brought two cars to the test session, both of which saw track
time either on Monday or Tuesday. Chassis No. JR-03, which is a new car prepared specifically for this race and JR-01, which is a car
purchased from the #17 DEWALT team, were present with JR-03 getting the nod to go back next week. Both cars ran extremely well, but JR-03 worked the best on the long runs. With its wide corners and different racing grooves, MIS is historically known to have extended green flag periods and the #16 team hopes the same holds true in this year's event. Biffle and crew worked on race trim the majority of the test session, but they switched to the qualifying setup for the final few hours. Unofficially, Biffle turned a fast lap of 184.663mph. Last year's pole position time for the Pepsi 400 was 188.127mph posted by #32-Ricky Craven, and, earlier this season, #88-Dale Jarrett posted a time of 189.071 for the Sirius Satellite Radio 400 at MIS. "We're fairly pleased with how the test session went," said Biffle. "We know we've got a little more work to do before and when we get there next week, but we're headed in the right direction. The car was very comfortable and it ran really well on the long run. Michigan is a driver friendly track and there usually aren't that many cautions, so being good on the long run should be beneficial to us. We were a few tenths off of last year's pole time, but you can't really use that as a determining factor for whether or not we were running competitively. There are so many things that come into play like temperature and how much rubber is on the track, so it's hard to tell. We feel good about how we ran, and Robby Gordon was there and we ran lap times comparable to his, so I think we'll be good when we unload next week." If Biffle qualifies for the Pepsi 400 at MIS, it will mark his second career Winston Cup start. His first start came at California Speedway on April 27, 2002, where he qualified 29th and finished 13th. Biffle also has tentative plans to run Winston Cup races this year at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Atlanta, Rockingham and Phoenix (where he supposedly will run the CTS, BGN and Cup races).(Roush Racing PR)(8-8-2002)
Biffle to stay in BGN for 2002: FSN's Totally NASCAR it was announced that Roush BGN Driver, Greg Biffle, will drive a full BGN season in 2002 in the #60 Grianger Ford and will run up to seven Cup races in 2002 and move up full time in 2003(8-29-2001)
UPDATE: Jack Roush announced the expected on Saturday, making it official that Greg Biffle will make the jump from the BGN to Winston Cup with Grainger as the sponsor on the #16 Fords. The move will give Roush Racing five Cup teams next season – #6-Mark Martin, #99-Jeff Burton, #17-Matt Kenseth, #97-Kurt Busch and #16-Biffle. "Greg and (crew chief) Randy (Goss) have been a real quick study," Roush said. "I expect they will be sponges and suck the information out of the program, but I also expect some youthful leadership from their part. They will bring some fresh ideas to Mark, Matt and Jeff Burton."(ThatsRacin.com)(7-13-2002)
Biffle tests at California: Greg Biffle is testing the #16 Ford at California Speedway in preparation for the Cup race there in April.(FSN's Totally NASCAR)(3-27-2002)
Biffle to run up to seven Cup races: Roush Racing's [#16 Ford] Greg Biffle will compete in seven Cup events this year as he prepares to run for rookie-of-the-year honors in 2003. He's scheduled to compete at Daytona and then at California in April but the rest of his Cup schedule is not set because he has no sponsor(Roanoke Times)(1-21-2002)
Kraft Foods and Roush Racing Launch Sponsorship: Roush Racing announced that eight Kraft brands have become associate team sponsors on all five Winston Cup cars in the Roush stable, as well as one Busch series car. Kraft will launch its racing program in Daytona as the primary sponsor of Mark Martin's #6 Kraft Ford Taurus in the pre-season Budweiser Shootout on February 10. All eight of the participating Kraft brands will make their debut - through signage on the car - as Martin kicks off the program. Race fans will have Roush drivers and Kraft brands to root for once the official racing starts. Brand logos will be positioned prominently on the car of each respective driver. Mark Martin's #6 Ford will include Maxwell House Coffee as an associate sponsor in the regular Winston Cup schedule. Jeff Burton's #99 Ford features Velveeta, while Matt Kenseth's #17 Taurus features Kraft Singles, Miracle Whip Salad Dressing and Kraft Mayonnaise as associate sponsors. Kurt Busch's #97 Ford brandishes the Tombstone Pizza brand as an associate sponsor and Greg Biffle's #16 Winston Cup ride and #60 BGN Ford highlights the Taco Bell Home Originals brand as an associate sponsor.(PR), see my Paint Schemes Gallery for a couple images of the car/scheme - links fixed(1-18-2002)
Biffle testing at Daytona: Greg Biffle is testing the #16 Ford at Daytona during the 2nd session on Jan 14-17th(1-14-2002)
Past 2001 News
Biffle to debut in Cup at Daytona? during the rain delay at Memphis for the BGN race, Greg Biffle was interviewed and said it looks like he would run the 2002 Daytona 500 for his Winston Cup debut in a Roush Ford and probably run at Las Vegas and both Charlotte races(10-13-2001)
UPDATE: hearing Biffle will run #16 in Cup for 2002 (Roush used this number in the past)(10-20-2001)
Biffle and Cup in 2002: Greg Biffle said Friday at Pikes Peak International Raceway that he will more than likely run seven Winston Cup races in 2002 to coincide with a full Busch Series slate(for Roush).(NASCAR.com Buzz)(7-28-2001)
Biffle Staying at Roush: "Take me out of the rumor mill," says Greg Biffle. "Roush Racing and Grainger have been great to me and I have no intention of doing anything but staying here to try and win more championships for Grainger and for Jack Roush." With that statement Biffle hopes to end "silly season" speculation about his future. "Jack Roush, Greg Biffle and Grainger have made long term commitments to one another, and all parties are fully engaged in the process of honoring those commitments," says Geoff Smith, Roush Racing President. "It is a compliment to Greg's talent that after only a few races in the Busch series he has captured the eyes of other owners---who are recently discovering what we have known and have invested in for several years." "I've been approached by members of the media asking me if I'm thinking of leaving Roush Racing," said Biffle. "Each time I've told them that I am happy where I am, and I look forward to a successful career with Roush Racing. "At this point in the season, the rumors start to fly about which driver is doing what for next season. If there is a hint a driver is leaving a team, the media picks it up and runs with it. Yeah, I've had a few calls about going other places, but I'm just not interested in doing so. It's very flattering to have big name teams calling me at this point in my career, but I'm driving for one of the biggest names in the industry that has a team of racing and marketing people committed to helping my career. "Why would I think about leaving the opportunity that's been placed in front of me? Roush Racing and Grainger have agreed to take me Winston Cup racing, and whether that takes place next year or the year after is up to them. My job is to get into that race car each week and drive to the best of my abilities, and that's what I intend to do no matter what series I'm racing in. "Jack Roush and Grainger will make the decision on when it's time for me to make the jump to Winston Cup. If it's next year, I'm ready for the challenge; if it's not, then another year in the Busch Series will only have me that much more prepared for the jump. "I'm working with one of the best crew chiefs in the business (Randy Goss), and we are building a team that has already shown it has what it takes to go Winston Cup racing. Roush Racing gives me everything I need to go out every week and be a contender. I've got teammates that are some of the best in the business helping me out each week, and I look forward to continuing to build the relationships with those guys as my career progresses. "If it weren't for Jack Roush giving me the opportunity to drive for him in 1998, I may not have been where I am today. He took a chance on me and I plan on honoring that. I've already won one championship with the organization and I plan on winning more. That's the bottom line."(Roush Racing PR)(6-13-2001)
Biffle to Cup? UPDATE 3: Greg Biffle said in his post-race remarks Sunday at Nazareth Speedway(which he won) that his Roush Racing organization was seriously contemplating running at least some Cup races in 2002. Initially, Biffle, the 2000 CTS champ, was seen as competing in the BGN for a couple seasons(NASCAR.com Buzz)(5-21-2001)
UPDATE: Biffle's success has prompted interest by car owners to move Biffle to Winston Cup next season. He was planning to make the move with Jack Roush in 2003. "We're already talking about doing Winston Cup racing next year and not doing the second year of (Grand National). They're asking questions. Roush is talking about it. I've had other offers," he said. "I don't have any plans of leaving right now to pursue other Winston Cup opportunities. With our success, it's got people interested in doing something. I think the proper way of doing it would be to do another year of (Grand National), seven races in Cup, that's what I think would be best."(That's Racin')(5-25-2001)
UPDATE 2: there are reports that Greg Biffle is now on Richard Childress' list as a possible third Cup driver(#30) next season(5-28-2001)
UPDATE 3: Greg Biffle has done so well in his rookie year on the BGN that he's become a candidate to move on to Winston Cup as early as next year. Those numbers, as well as his aggressive driving style, have fueled speculation he'll be moving on soon. Some publications have mentioned him as a driver for one of Richard Childress' Winston Cup cars. "Nobody has called and talked to me," Biffle said. "I've heard the rumors, but I haven't pursued those leads yet, and I won't until I find out what Roush's plans are. I'm in a signed contract with (Roush), and I'd hate to break up the relationship I have with him and my crew chief Randy Goss and with my sponsor, Grainger." But Biffle, 31, said any driver would be foolish to ignore opportunities that might come along. Biffle said it would take more than a fat paycheck to get him to switch teams. "I want to be as successful as possible," he said. "It's not all about money for me. I'm more interested in winning Winston Cup races and championships." One way to get to Winston Cup is to make the jump with his current team and sponsor. The long-term plan has been for Biffle to run two years in the Busch Series, then at least two in Winston Cup. After Biffle's fast start this season, officials from Grainger are debating whether to accelerate the move to the elite division. A decision is expected by September.(AJC)(6-8-2001)