Roush-Fenway driver earns pole for Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 at MIS
BROOKLYN, Mich. (Aug. 19, 2011) – It’s truly a “Pure Michigan” weekend for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Greg Biffle.
Biffle, driving the No. 16 Pure Michigan Ford for hometown owner Jack Roush of Livonia, Mich., captured the pole position by 27 hundredths of a second over Roush-Fenway Ford teammate Matt Kenseth today at Michigan International Speedway in preparation for Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 Sprint Cup race.
Biffle, with a speed of 190.345 miles per hour on Meijer Pole Day, became the 15th different Sprint Cup driver to garner a pole this season and helped give Roush-Fenway a sweep of the front row for the 10th time overall and first at MIS.
Biffle, a favorite to win Sunday’s race, still has his eye on the prize, a spot in the 12-driver field for the ‘Chase for the Championship.’
“It’s obvious we have to win a race to have a chance to get into the Chase field and this is a huge deal for us,” he said. “This gives us great momentum going into Sunday and it’s a big morale boost for the team to come here and run as well as we did right off the truck and then get the pole.”
Biffle ranks 13th among the field of Chase contenders with just four races remaining before the final 10-race sprint for the championship.
Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin will comprise the second row with Mark Martin and Brad Keselowski, of nearby Rochester Hills, Mich., making up Row 3.
Just over 2 ½ seconds separated Biffle and last-place qualifier Mike Skinner in the 43-car field. It was the first time since August of 2005 that the pole speed broke the 190 mph barrier (Joe Nemechek, 191.581 mph).
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.
Keep up with Michigan International Speedway via Twitter @MISpeedway or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MISpeedway. Join our Mobile Fan Club by texting MISCLUB on a Sprint Handheld or other mobile device to 69050 on a Sprint Smartphone or other mobile device. Standard text message rates may apply.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets for the Pure Michigan 400 on Sunday are as low as $30 while supplies last. Visit MISpeedway.com or call the MIS ticket hotline at 800-354-1010 today to take advantage of great pricing for 2011 events at MIS.
As always, parking is free at MIS – and the track allows coolers through the gates. Check the speedway’s website for details.
Michigan International Speedway – 2011 Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 20 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series VFW 200
Sunday, Aug. 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400
Sunday, Sept. 11 Spirit of America Blood Drive – 10th Anniversary!
Saturday, Sept. 17 MI Fest Music & Camping Festival
