Greg Biffle – Sprint Unlimited Advance
Team: No. 16 3M Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Matt Puccia
Primary Chassis: RK-794 Last ran Sprint Unlimited – finished sixth
Backup Chassis: RK-798 Last ran Talladega – finished sixth
ADVANCE NOTES
· Biffle in the Unlimited
· Biffle has competed seven times in the Sprint Unlimited, earning two top-five and three top-10 finishes, while also leading for a total of 66 laps.
· Unlimited Undergoes Format Change
· New for the 2013 Sprint Unlimited the fans are in control of the race format. Voting ends this Friday, Wednesday 13th at 11:59pm ET. Fans can vote on NASCAR.com and the NASCAR Mobile ’13 app.
· Biffle at Daytona
· July 2003 – Biffle earns first Sprint Cup victory at Daytona
· February 2004 – Biffle earns first career pole position for the Daytona 500
· February 2012 – Biffle is part of the Daytona 500 all-Ford starting row with a second-place qualifying effort
· The Car
· Chassis RK-794 hit the track for the first time a year ago in the Sprint Unlimited and earned a sixth-place finish.
· Biffle, RFR Debut Gen 6 Car in Unlimited
· Fans can now relate the 2013 No. 16 3M Ford Fusion with production vehicle available at their local Ford dealer. With new emphasis on the headlights, fog light openings, grille and the body-side character lines the race car has the look and feel of the production Fusion.
· Florida Boys
· Two members of the 3M team call Florida home. Driveline mechanic Alan Buzze is from Vero Beach, FL, while chassis mechanic Jason Overstreet is from Clearwater Beach, FL.
Biffle on the Sprint Unlimited:
“It’s been a big advantage every year for the guys that are in the Sprint Unlimited, for the little bit of extra track time, but this year it is even more important because of the Gen 6 car. So on top of that, the fans having a choice how the race is formatted, is unprecedented. It’s going to be fun to see what the fans decide; there are a few options and we are prepared for all the scenarios.
“The fan aspect weights more on the team or crew chief, than us. We don’t care, you give us the steering wheel, gas pedal and some fuel and we’re going to go. The crew chiefs have to figure out the strategy and what to do, and how it’s going to work, is a bigger challenge for them with the fans deciding.”
Puccia on the Sprint Unlimited:
“The Sprint Unlimited is the first race for us to see how the new Gen 6 car reacts in race conditions. Sprint has come up with a new format which should be exciting for the fans. We’ll see how the 2013 Ford Fusion is under race conditions and we can test some things and learn some stuff to apply to the 500.”
2013 No. 16 3M “Pit Bulls”
Name Duties Hometown
Ben Beshore Engineer York, PA
Alan Buzze Underneath Mechanic Vero Beach, FL
Alex Cunningham Tire Specialist Hagerstown, MD
Kevin Doebler Pit Support Johnson City, NY
Justin Edgell Rear Tire Carrier Salisbury, NC
Joel Edmonds Spotter Dobson, NC
Justin Hines Engine Tuner Garden City, MI
Dale Hoffman Pit Support Allentown, PA
Bryan Huitt Front Tire Carrier Lincolnton, NC
Wesley Lape Interior Mechanic Sinking Springs, PA
Richie Letendre Car Chief Lowell, MA
Billy Manchester Shock Specialist Westport, MA
David Meade Pit Support Coeburn, MA
Sean Meckelson Jackman Boise, ID
Kevin Novak Front Tire Changer Veseli, MN
Jason Overstreet Mechanic Clearwater Beach, FL
Matt Puccia Crew Chief Watertown, NY
Justin Reissmann Gasman Chester, NJ
Ryan Rutzinski Engineer Waukesha, WI
Ben Surface Pit Support Pulaski, VA
Rick Testerman 2nd Truck Driver Plainsboro, NJ
Curtis Thompson Rear Tire Changer Mooresville, NC
DeWayne Zirkle Truck Driver Roanoke, VA
