05/15/2016
Multi-Car Accident Collects Biffle at the “Monster Mile”
DOVER, Del. (May 15, 2016) – Dover International Speedway is nicknamed the “Monster Mile” and the track lived up to the reputation Sunday afternoon. Greg Biffle had a fast No. 16 Kleen Performance Ford and was even able to lead the field for multiple laps prior to being collected in a multi-car accident. Biffle was one of 18 cars collected in the green flag restart with just under 50 laps remaining. The damage sent Biffle to the garage where it was determined their day was over, leaving Biffle with a 29th-place finish.
“I didn’t see anything. I just saw cars stopped in front of me and there was just no way we could stop,” said Biffle about the accident that ended his day. “The spotter was telling me to go low, which I am not sure if that was the right move either. I don’t know if there is anything I could have done. I just tried to stop as quickly as I could. There was just no time to stop I guess. We had probably a top-12 car there and it was going to be a good day for us.”
The Sprint Cup cars took to the track Friday morning knowing rain was inevitable. Biffle made use of practice before the rain to try and lay down a fast lap incase rain washed out qualifying. His No. 16 Kleen Performance Ford got loose in practice while making his qualifying runs. Biffle closed out practice 16th and due to the rains rolling in also started the race 16th when NASCAR had to cancel qualifying on Friday afternoon.
Biffle wasted little time advancing through the field and was up to 13th by the time the first caution flag was displayed. After four fresh tires and an air pressure adjustment Biffle continued to maintain his track position while continuing to need more grip.
The team put some pit strategy into play just before the halfway point and Biffle found himself pacing the field for six laps before falling back a little, but still maintain a top-five position.
An untimely caution changed the teams’ strategy and cost Biffle track position. Just as Biffle was rebounding from the lost spots, he was collected in a multi-car collision. The field took the green flag with just under 50 laps remaining when the No. 48 wasn’t able to go and bunched up the field behind him. Biffle had nowhere to go and suffered severe damage. Biffle drove his No. 16 to the garage where it was determined their day was over, resulting in a 29th-place finish.
