Track Smack: Biffle talks Chase dark horses, debuts

The 12 drivers in the Chase for the Sprint Cup spent Wednesday doing the media rounds in New York. Roush Fenway Racing's Greg Biffle took time between bites at the Hard Rock Café to talk at little smack -- and answer a fan-submitted question from Steve Ekleberry ...

1. Who is the leading dark horse candidate to win the Chase?

Greg Biffle: Everybody besides the obvious -- Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch. Everybody besides them are dark horses. I consider myself part of that group. Tony Stewart hasn't won a race this year. I wouldn't say there's one guy holding that spot.

Joe Menzer: I think the bigger question is: Can a dark horse win this thing? Or is it essentially a three-man race? If I had to pick a dark horse, though, it would be Biffle -- because he has been kind enough to join us today!

Duane Cross: Smoke and Jeff Gordon -- along with the top three -- make it almost a 50/50 proposition, but Matt Kenseth and Biffle (Joe you're a suck-up) have to be the top dark horses.

Joe Menzer: Me? A suck-up? Never!

Greg Biffle: Thank you. The only thing that comes to mind is everybody picked me, Tony and Carl to make the Chase in 2006 and none of us made it. So I hope I can live up to expectations. I feel good about the way we've been running. We've been consistent; we need to be more consistent.

Joe Menzer: Greg -- do you think, given Carl as a teammate and sharing information, that the Roush guys can bring the heat and make a statement during the final 10 races?

Greg Biffle: I absolutely think so. I think the three cars that we have that made the Chase are realistically a threat every week. That's why we got in there. We've been working hard at testing. I really think that we're going to bring the heat.

Duane Cross: Speaking of consistency -- Gordon was the poster child for that last year and still didn't win the Chase. Does that change a driver's thinking: instead of settling for a top five finish, I must press for the checkers?

Joe Menzer: I would think the only guy who might be able to play for points going into this thing is Kyle Busch, and he doesn't drive that way -- ever! The rest of the guys don't have that luxury anyway.

Greg Biffle: We try to press for the win every week. I ran as hard as I could at Bristol and finished 11th and did the same at California and finished second. Those two finishes were the best that I could drive and get. We're hopefully going to be more consistent than the 11th-place finishes but we're going to try to go for the win. Were you trying to coast along at Richmond, Matt?

Matt Kenseth: Yeah, I was trying to get 38th instead of 39th.

Joe Menzer: What is Matt eating anyway?

Greg Biffle: Pasta.

Joe Menzer: Weak. Better order a side of fries with that; Carl would.

2. Does making the Chase equate to a successful season -- or does it take a victory to legitimately make that claim?

Greg Biffle: That's a good question. It's a 50-50 split really. I've been fortunate enough to get a win every season I've been in Sprint Cup, but making the Chase is more success than winning the race. I won at Kansas last year, but I didn't get to go to NYC, so making the Chase was more important to get to go to New York.

Joe Menzer: After winning six races in 2006, have you been surprised at how hard wins have been to come by since then? I know you got two the next year and then the one you mentioned last year, but that's been it.

Date	Track	Time	TV
Sept. 14	Loudon	1 p.m.	ABC
Sept. 21	Dover	1 p.m.	ABC
Sept. 28	Kansas	1 p.m.	ABC
Oct. 5	Talladega	1 p.m.	ABC
Oct. 11	Charlotte	7 p.m.	ABC
Oct. 19	Martinsville	1 p.m.	ABC
Oct. 26	Atlanta	1 p.m.	ABC
Nov. 2	Texas	3 p.m.	ABC
Nov. 9	Phoenix	3 p.m.	ABC
Nov. 16	Homestead	3 p.m.	ABC

All times ET

Greg Biffle: Yeah, it has been sort of a surprise. They are more difficult. What's funny is how many wins the three leaders have: Kyle (eight), Carl (six) and Jimmie (four). It's not spread out more uniformly or evenly. And then last year, Jimmie with 10. On one hand, it seems more difficult and harder, but you look at guys that have eight and 10 in a season.

Joe Menzer: And how Kasey Kahne, with two, didn't even get into the Chase.

Greg Biffle: Right, Joe. We were on par to win a couple, Darlington was one of them. But stuff happens. Hopefully we'll get an opportunity in the final 10.

Duane Cross: From a sponsor's perspective, getting into the Chase has to be a boon -- this is when NASCAR is most in the spotlight. Who remembers Greg's paint scheme at ... say, Texas? Do you see a day when sponsor dollars are tied directly to a driver making the Chase? We'll sign up for the first 26, but if you don't make the Chase you're on your own for the final 10 ...

Greg Biffle: Yeah, I agree. That goes back to winning a race or making the Chase. That's why making the Chase is more important. Sponsor recognition, media things, PSAs and other things are more important because you're one of those 12 guys.

Joe Menzer: Do you still own your pub in Vancouver, back when you won six in a year? I'll bet those were some good parties ...

Greg Biffle: No, I sold it my first year Nationwide racing in '01, but a lot of people out there reminisce. But once I started Nationwide racing -- and especially Cup racing -- I couldn't get back out there.

Joe Menzer: I think you should open another one in Mooresville.

Greg Biffle: Haha -- yeah, I don't know. Stay tuned. That might happen some day.

3. How do you feel about drivers making their series debut during the Chase?

Greg Biffle: That's probably not the best thing for the Chase drivers. Anything can happen, but it's the same for everyone, I guess. Anybody can be racing around them as teammates. But that's typically when guys are going to make their debut. So that's something that we'll have to deal with.

Joe Menzer: I'm assuming this question has to do with Joey Logano making his Cup debut (he hopes), this weekend in New Hampshire. At least with Logano, I would think he's less likely to do something stupid than most rookies would be.

Duane Cross: Even though Joey Logano is "sliced bread" -- he's still a first-timer. That has to weigh heavy on both Joey and the Chase drivers, right? I mean, certainly he doesn't want to blow it ...

Greg Biffle: Exactly, I'd hate to be that guy making my debut because there's a lot of pressure to not make a mistake. Or racing with a car that's not in the Chase and making a problem for those in it. You could change the outcome of the championship.

Joe Menzer: That pressure is always gonna be there, but under these circumstances, it's got to be magnified times 10. And that could contribute to someone making a costly mistake -- for him and others that it would impact more.

Duane Cross: When you flipped the switch for your first Cup race at Fontana in 2002 -- do you remember what was going through your head?

Greg Biffle: I was excited to be able to race with guys I'd watched for years, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and my teammates, all those guys. I know that I was thrilled about that. Rolling off the grid was kind of like a dream come true. You had been waiting all your life to be in the Sprint Cup Series and it became a reality.

Duane Cross: And you were 32 -- with a lot more experience. Can you imagine the nerves Logano will be battling?

Greg Biffle: Oh, yeah. A lot of times drivers will talk about when we started street stock, late model racing and all those things compared to today. What were you racing at 18, 19 and 20? Compared to even Nationwide and Sprint Cup today ...

Joe Menzer: Greg, how did that compare with giving Paula Deen a ride in your Mustang in '07? I'll bet you were nervous then, too, huh? (Duane has a thing for Paula Deen, by the way.)

Greg Biffle: She likes to ride in hot-rod cars, if you have one of those. I took her in a Mustang, drifting in the parking lot.

Duane Cross: I'll get right on that Mustang ... though the drifting part may take some practice.

4. How is it that we can watch a driver struggle in equipment prepared similar to his teammates -- yet he doesn't get the performance like they do? Then another driver can replace him and a year later, with the same car and crew, perform almost miracles in that car -- for instance, J.J. Yeley and Kyle Busch. -- Steve Ekleberry, Sycamore, Ohio

Greg Biffle: Certainly in some cases, it's driver ability. But it's not all that because, for instance, we'll switch crews and crew chiefs switch teams. Automatically, those teams perform better. It's revitalizing; there's an awareness, so a lot of it can be that. Not necessarily the names, but just the change sparks new life. So there are all kinds of things that can make a difference. It's a match of a crew chief, car chief and a driver. That's a magical combination.

Duane Cross: Best of luck, Greg -- starting at Loudon.

Greg Biffle: Great questions and I'm excited about making the Chase and reflecting on all those topics. Thanks a lot.

Joe Menzer: Yep, see you there. I'm gonna rent a Mustang!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.