Biffle on the Daytona 500: “I think this Daytona 500 will be the most one we’ve had for everyone involved. As a competitor, I don’t really know what to expect because the track surface is different, the tires are different and we have new rules. I think you will see some of the two-car drafts that we had in the Shootout but there will be so many more cars and we have a new cooling system rule so we’ll see how it plays out. All of these factors will also make it a pretty exciting race for the fans too. I think we’re all ready to see what’s going to happen in the Duels on Thursday.”
Erwin on the Daytona 500: “We were pretty happy with our performance in the Shootout so we’re going to build on that and factor in the new cooling system rule. Right now we’re looking forward to the Duels to get a better idea of how the Daytona 500 will play out. We know we have a fast car but we’ll need to stay out of trouble in the Duels in order to capitalize on it. Greg was right there at the end of the 500 last year. If we can do the same thing this year, I think we learned things last year that will put us in a better position to be the lead car at the checkered flag.”
Daytona Notes – Mike Lingerfelt will be joining the 3M Pit Bulls for the 2011 season in the front tire changer position. Todd Zeigler, who has been a tire changer with Roush Fenway since 1998, opted to take on a non-travel role with the team. – The No. 16 Ford will feature the new 2011 3M paint scheme throughout speedweeks.
The paint scheme first ran at the All-Star race in 2010 and received such positive reviews that it is now the primary scheme for the 2011 season. – Visit www.shop3M.com to learn more about all of the innovative products 3M has to offer.