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Biffle Unhappy With Roush May Indicate A Move Inevitable
By: Gregg A. Shultz RaceFanVote.com
Greg Biffle who voiced his dissatisfaction of Roush’s ability to keep up last season with the COT
program and his opinions of certain drivers at the organization is once again lambasting the
company after Darlington.
The clock is ticking on who will be the driver cut from the Roush Fenway Roster as team
President Geoff Smith commented that the decision would be made in 2008 so that the drivers
who were staying could get down to business and focus on winning races and championships.
The secure drivers have secure sponsors and it’s doubtful that a new company would come in
for a potential one year deal, nor would an existing sponsor ‘re-up’ for the same guarantee
which is another reason why the decision would need to come soon.
Carl Edwards just signed a multi-year deal reported to be valid until the end of 2011 and there
have been talks of UPS coming over as the sponsor of the no. 99 car.
Past Champion Matt Kenseth’s contract is good through 2010, sponsor though ‘09 with no talk
of them relinquishing their support.
Jamie McMurray, Greg Biffle & David Ragan’s contracts are all up at the end of this season and
to date no reports of extensions for them have been yet announced. Their sponsor’s
commitments mirror their contracts and AAA has already announced that they will not be back
on the no. 6 car in 2009.
Of the three drivers without a contract beyond this year, Greg Biffle is arguably the driver who
is least likely to allow himself to be transferred to a surrogate team that is not of his choosing
and most likely to pick up and go drive for another team. Add in the recent controversy and a
move is looking even more inevitable.
He was critical of Roush’s ability to put a car on the track that could ‘stay together’ after
Darlington where he led 95 laps before reporting a vibration and then having an engine expire
relinquishing him to a dismal 43rd place finish. When asked what happened he commented, “I
don’t know” said Biffle, “For some reason we have problems getting lug nuts tight and then
something broke”. Clearly disgusted with the results you have to wonder if he might be seeking
greener pastures where he would also be higher up the ladder or possibly even be the number
one driver. With Biffle, unlike some other drivers in the news who might make a switch based on
allegiances with a particular car manufacturer, Biffle has never expressed the same devotion
towards Ford which makes his opportunities more vast.
McMurray and Ragan each have their own qualities that make them a good fit at the company.
Jamie is extremely marketable, well known and has a large fan base as well. His charity work for
Autism Speaks gets a lot of airtime and overall he is just a likeable guy with the fans and his
sponsors. McMurray’s performance on the track has been waning, but has managed a few
strong finishes to get him safely 23rd in points.
Ragan’s who just coming out of his rookie season is looking pretty strong 12th in points, 2- top
5’s and 3- top 10’s. At the age of 22 he could be one of Roush’s success stories from their
development program and be a contender for years to come. Just thinking in terms of the future
some might see his release as a big mistake which is making him look pretty solid as far as
remaining with Roush Fenway.
Greg Biffle is one of the drivers in the sport who has run hot and cold throughout his career. At
times he looks unbeatable and then for no good reason he is a non-factor to win a race.
However, when you look at his past stats you can easily understand where his frustration is
coming from. In 2005 he had 6 wins, 15- top 5’s and 21- top 10’s finishing 2nd in points. 2006
he managed 2 wins and in 2007 he saw victory lane only once at Kansas and missed the chase.
So far this season he has 1 pole, 3- top 5’s, 5- top 10’s and sits 11th in points. Give him back
the 100 points that he probably lost at Darlington due to his 43rd place finish and he would be
7th in the championship rank.
Openly complaining about the team that you drive for is not the preferred method for
preparation in negotiating a contract extension. With that I would say that Biffle is probably the
number one candidate to leave Roush Fenway Racing. Venting your frustrations on network TV
for a bad finish is one thing, but calling out your team and organization as the problem is
another. It could just be a way to let others know that he is looking for a ride and that his
performance issues are not of his doing. Even if he was just venting, it’s not looking good for
the “Biff’ to be piloting the no. 16 car in 2009.
By: Gregg A. Shultz RaceFanVote.com
Greg Biffle who voiced his dissatisfaction of Roush’s ability to keep up last season with the COT
program and his opinions of certain drivers at the organization is once again lambasting the
company after Darlington.
The clock is ticking on who will be the driver cut from the Roush Fenway Roster as team
President Geoff Smith commented that the decision would be made in 2008 so that the drivers
who were staying could get down to business and focus on winning races and championships.
The secure drivers have secure sponsors and it’s doubtful that a new company would come in
for a potential one year deal, nor would an existing sponsor ‘re-up’ for the same guarantee
which is another reason why the decision would need to come soon.
Carl Edwards just signed a multi-year deal reported to be valid until the end of 2011 and there
have been talks of UPS coming over as the sponsor of the no. 99 car.
Past Champion Matt Kenseth’s contract is good through 2010, sponsor though ‘09 with no talk
of them relinquishing their support.
Jamie McMurray, Greg Biffle & David Ragan’s contracts are all up at the end of this season and
to date no reports of extensions for them have been yet announced. Their sponsor’s
commitments mirror their contracts and AAA has already announced that they will not be back
on the no. 6 car in 2009.
Of the three drivers without a contract beyond this year, Greg Biffle is arguably the driver who
is least likely to allow himself to be transferred to a surrogate team that is not of his choosing
and most likely to pick up and go drive for another team. Add in the recent controversy and a
move is looking even more inevitable.
He was critical of Roush’s ability to put a car on the track that could ‘stay together’ after
Darlington where he led 95 laps before reporting a vibration and then having an engine expire
relinquishing him to a dismal 43rd place finish. When asked what happened he commented, “I
don’t know” said Biffle, “For some reason we have problems getting lug nuts tight and then
something broke”. Clearly disgusted with the results you have to wonder if he might be seeking
greener pastures where he would also be higher up the ladder or possibly even be the number
one driver. With Biffle, unlike some other drivers in the news who might make a switch based on
allegiances with a particular car manufacturer, Biffle has never expressed the same devotion
towards Ford which makes his opportunities more vast.
McMurray and Ragan each have their own qualities that make them a good fit at the company.
Jamie is extremely marketable, well known and has a large fan base as well. His charity work for
Autism Speaks gets a lot of airtime and overall he is just a likeable guy with the fans and his
sponsors. McMurray’s performance on the track has been waning, but has managed a few
strong finishes to get him safely 23rd in points.
Ragan’s who just coming out of his rookie season is looking pretty strong 12th in points, 2- top
5’s and 3- top 10’s. At the age of 22 he could be one of Roush’s success stories from their
development program and be a contender for years to come. Just thinking in terms of the future
some might see his release as a big mistake which is making him look pretty solid as far as
remaining with Roush Fenway.
Greg Biffle is one of the drivers in the sport who has run hot and cold throughout his career. At
times he looks unbeatable and then for no good reason he is a non-factor to win a race.
However, when you look at his past stats you can easily understand where his frustration is
coming from. In 2005 he had 6 wins, 15- top 5’s and 21- top 10’s finishing 2nd in points. 2006
he managed 2 wins and in 2007 he saw victory lane only once at Kansas and missed the chase.
So far this season he has 1 pole, 3- top 5’s, 5- top 10’s and sits 11th in points. Give him back
the 100 points that he probably lost at Darlington due to his 43rd place finish and he would be
7th in the championship rank.
Openly complaining about the team that you drive for is not the preferred method for
preparation in negotiating a contract extension. With that I would say that Biffle is probably the
number one candidate to leave Roush Fenway Racing. Venting your frustrations on network TV
for a bad finish is one thing, but calling out your team and organization as the problem is
another. It could just be a way to let others know that he is looking for a ride and that his
performance issues are not of his doing. Even if he was just venting, it’s not looking good for
the “Biff’ to be piloting the no. 16 car in 2009.
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| Submit your comments about the story or the topic. Please no rude or defamatory comments. Addressing other poster's comments will be edited if deemed to be insulting or rude. |
I agree with your comments that if Biffle
were interested in negotiating a new
contract that he wouldn't have been
talking bad about the team.
Also, Jack would be foolish to get rid of
David Ragan. He is an up and coming star.
Stewart Mann, LA
were interested in negotiating a new
contract that he wouldn't have been
talking bad about the team.
Also, Jack would be foolish to get rid of
David Ragan. He is an up and coming star.
Stewart Mann, LA
I think Biffle would make a good fit at DEI.
Other than Mark Martin running part time
they have no driver/leader there and Biffle
would be good in that role.
SJ in Vermont
Other than Mark Martin running part time
they have no driver/leader there and Biffle
would be good in that role.
SJ in Vermont
Greg Biffle's problem is that when he has
a chance at a win he overdrives his car
and takes himself out. Is anyone saying
yet what caused his motor to 'expire' last
night?
BillyBoy73 in Florida
a chance at a win he overdrives his car
and takes himself out. Is anyone saying
yet what caused his motor to 'expire' last
night?
BillyBoy73 in Florida
Jamie McMurray is marketable and
popular but I think Roush wants more than
that. If Jamie doesn't pick up his game by
the mid-point of the season I think he will
be gone no matter what Biffle does.
Chuck L in Kentucky
popular but I think Roush wants more than
that. If Jamie doesn't pick up his game by
the mid-point of the season I think he will
be gone no matter what Biffle does.
Chuck L in Kentucky
Biffle should go drive for Michael Waltrip.
They need at least one driver over there
that has a serious shot at winning a race
or two, not just running to try to stay in the
top 35.
Jeff Tomlinson Reno Nevada
They need at least one driver over there
that has a serious shot at winning a race
or two, not just running to try to stay in the
top 35.
Jeff Tomlinson Reno Nevada
Before Carl Edwards signed his new
contract I was certain he was going to be
the one to go because he could probably
have gotten a lot of money somewhere
else. Now I just don't know.
Biffle's saying what he did after Darlington
has to hurt his chances to get his contract
extended, so I guess that I will say he's
the one. Otherwise McMurray would have
been my choice because he is running
bad.
Tammy W
contract I was certain he was going to be
the one to go because he could probably
have gotten a lot of money somewhere
else. Now I just don't know.
Biffle's saying what he did after Darlington
has to hurt his chances to get his contract
extended, so I guess that I will say he's
the one. Otherwise McMurray would have
been my choice because he is running
bad.
Tammy W
Jack Roush is the kind of guy that if you
call his baby ugly then he probably won't
put up with it. If Greg wanted to stay at
Roush he probably shouldn't have said
anything after Darlington.
Robert Reynolds
call his baby ugly then he probably won't
put up with it. If Greg wanted to stay at
Roush he probably shouldn't have said
anything after Darlington.
Robert Reynolds
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