Greg Biffle Takes Michian On Old Tires

Michigan International Speedway often puts up long green flag runs. Although the speeds are high with straightaway speeds over 200MPH the track is very wide so drivers don't need to run close together. This helps keep the caution flag from flying and puts the pressure on the crew to get it done in the pits.

Today's Batman Returns 400 was typical of Michigan with only 4 caution flags all day long. It came down to pit strategy as there was a late race caution. The driver who dominated the race pitted while other teams chose to stay out. Which strategy worked best in Michigan today?

Qualifying

For the fifth time this season Ryan Newman put his #12 Alltel Dodge on the pole. Starting next to him was Casey Mears in his Target Dodge. Row number two contained Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne. The Dodge's proved that they were capable of putting up one fast lap as Tony Stewart had the only Chevy in the top four.

Drop The Green Flag

Casey Mears took the lead at the drop of the green flag but Tony Stewart got around him on lap 8. After that the leaders settled in and the field seemed to be pacing itself for the second half. Drivers were giving and taking, spending their time feeling out their cars and being safe.

During the first round of green flag stops Brian Vickers spun and hit the end of the pit wall. This shuffled the running order a bit as some cars had pitted and some had not. There was some shuffling over the next 20 laps or so but Tony Stewart returned to the lead on lap 66 and again took off with Greg Biffle also fast.

Storylines

The Fox guys were obsessed with Dale Earnhardt Jr. this week. At the start of the race they said that fans had been complaining that they always talk about the same guys. Their answer was that they talk about the guys that are running well in the race or in the points. Dale Jr. entered the race 16th in points, more than 500 points behind the point leader. This week he qualified 41st and spent most of the day racing for 20th. Tell me again why they are talking about him?

Chasing The Checkers

The yellow flew for Sterling Marlin's blown engine just 34 laps to go. This set up the final run for the checkers as some guys pitted and some didn't. When they took the green four Roush racing cars had stayed out with Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch lead the race on old tires. Tony Stewart had four fresh tires as he restarted in eighth spot. Would there be enough time?

Nope. Tony Stewart was able to battle his way back up to second spot but Greg Biffle was able to get away and hold on to take the checkered flag first.

Top Ten

1. Greg Biffle
2. Tony Stewart
3. Mark Martin
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Carl Edwards
6. Joe Nemechek
7. Michael Waltrip
8. Elliott Sadler
9. Kyle Busch
10. Rusty Wallace

The Points

The top five stayed put but Tony Stewart jumped up four spots to take over sixth. Jeff Gordon fell out of the top ten and is more than 400 points behind the points leader. If the Chase for the Cup was determined today Jeff Gordon would not be in it.

1. Jimmie Johnson 0
2. Greg Biffle -49
3. Elliott Sadler -250
4. Carl Edwards -259
5. Mark Martin -269
6. Tony Stewart -311
7. Ryan Newman -317
8. Rusty Wallace -325
9. Kurt Busch -360
10. Kevin Harvick -370

Next Week

The first road race of the year is on tap for the NEXTEL Cup drivers as they head west to Sonoma California to Infineon Raceway. This winding road course is a real challenge to the drivers' skills as they make their living turning left and only have to road race twice each year.