Biffle tops practice at Watkins Glen
"You know, our race cars are really fast, these guys spend a lot of time working on these race cars and coming up with these packages and setups — I feel like we are gaining on it now," Biffle said after Happy Hour. "I feel like our simulation is better and we are showing up closer when we unload at the race track. I am focused and trying hard. It is not like I have been asleep the whole time, but it is now or never."
Practice 1
Pos. Driver Speed Time
1. G. Biffle 122.152 72.205
2. D. Hamlin 122.022 72.282
3. P. Menard 121.882 72.365
4. J. Burton 121.843 72.388
5. Ku. Busch 121.682 72.484
Practice 2
Pos. Driver Speed Time
1. G. Biffle 124.065 71.092
2. J. Montoya 123.807 71.240
3. M. Ambrose 123.755 71.270
4. Ku. Busch 123.614 71.351
5. K. Harvick 123.607 71.355
It's ironic that, after he won last Sunday at Pocono, Biffle was asked about his chances at this weekend's road-course event. Biffle said a top-five would be a reasonable finish for him, which seemed an odd prediction considering his fifth-place here last season is only Biffle's second top-10 finish in seven starts at the high-speed circuit in upstate New York.
But Biffle ran a whopping 29 laps in the opening practice and was on top of the board with a best lap of 72.205 seconds, an average speed of 122.152 mph in his No. 16 Ford. The unlikely top three included second man Denny Hamlin and third best Paul Menard, neither of whom has ever won a Cup road race.
Defending race winner Tony Stewart was only 22nd, which only reinforced Biffle's hope for a breakthrough victory, and a chance to reward Roush in person.
"I didn't think I would be at the top of this sheet," Biffle said after the first practice. "But I sure am happy about it."