No. 16 Ortho Ford Fusion Recap:
Flat Right-Front Tire Results in 27th-Place Finish for Biffle at Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif. (June 28, 2015) – A flat right-front tire foiled Biffle’s chances at a top-10 finish at Sonoma. Biffle started 22nd and was looking at a solid finish as different pit strategies unfolded over the 110-lap race. Just as Biffle’s fresh tires were gaining ground in the final laps, the right-front was cut down by three wide racing resulting in a 27th-place finish for the No. 16 Ortho Ford Fusion.
Biffle looked to follow up his 2014 top-10 finish at Sonoma with another solid run. The No. 16 Ortho Ford was handling well in practice and Biffle earned a 22nd-place starting position for Sunday afternoon’s event.
The team had a plan to just make two pit stops throughout the race. Biffle saved fuel and things were going their way, but the caution came out with just over 10 laps remaining. Fresh tires are a tremendous advantage at the 1.99-mile road course, so Biffle pitted for four Goodyears and returned to the track 17th.
The field took the final green flag restart with seven laps remaining. Biffle restarted 17th after the pit stop and was part of a three-wide pack when his right-front tire got cut down from contact with another. Biffle had to pit for right-side tires under green, but was able to stay on the lead lap and salvage a 27th-place finish.
