Roush Fenway Racing driver Greg Biffle, whose contract runs out at the end of the 2014 season, expects to sign an extension to remain with the organization.
Biffle, winner of 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, said Thursday that he is close to finalizing a deal with the team and sponsor 3M.
There is a huge cloud surrounding Roush Fenway Racing. How will they perform in 2014? Last season, the Roush group only managed to win three races, two of them were won by Carl Edwards, with one win for Biffle, respectively. Three wins is a really low number for a team with this type of caliber.
On average, Roush Fenway Racing wins at least five races a year, and this is not the first time this team has been in a mini-slump. In 2009, Roush Fenway also won just three races, as well as winning just two in 2001. The economy has also had a massive impact.
At the end of the 2011 season, Jack Roush announced that the No.6 car, driven by David Ragan, would not be fielded in 2012. Instead, Roush used the No.6 part-time, with 2-time Nationwide Series Champion, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., behind the wheel. The layoffs affected more than 100 employees.
Now, what does this mean for Biffle? Biffle, ninth in the 2013 Cup standings, has a lot to prove in 2014. Last season, Biffle scored one lone victory at Michigan International Speedway. In a team that has seen its share of struggles over the past couple of seasons, it appears likely that not all Roush Fenway cars can all perform well at the same time.
The 44-year old Biffle has driven for Roush for the entirety of his NASCAR career, winning a Truck Series title in 2000 and a Nationwide Series title in 2002 before moving full-time to Sprint Cup in 2003, where Biffle scored a victory at Daytona in the fall. Roush should not have to worry about Biffle moving on to other places. Biffle is one of the most loyal drivers that an owner wishes they could have.
However, Roush cannot forget about Stenhouse Jr. Stenhouse Jr., 19th in the Sprint Cup standings a year ago, also has much to prove, and a lot more to lose than Biffle. With just three top tens under his belt, Stenhouse comes into 2014 looking to prove doubters wrong. Stenhouse Jr. should be a threat at the plate tracks, as well as the 1.5 mile tracks.
What about Trevor Bayne? According to David Caraviello, of NASCAR.com, Bayne was supposed to have a Sprint Cup deal for this season, but sponsorship could not be finalized. Is Bayne content with racing with Wood Brothers Racing for his career, or will the 23-year old driver look for another option? At this point, Bayne does not have much of a choice. Bayne should stay with Wood Brothers, as there are not many options to this juncture. With the impending contract extension nearly complete, it seems that Bayne and Roush are just not meant to be.
With the uncertainty that faces this race team, it is hard to say, at this point, whether they will do well. But, with the new points system, Roush Fenway Racing should have at least two drivers in the playoffs come Richmond. If Stenhouse Jr. has the bad luck sustained last season, it will take a win to get the No.17 team into the Chase. Stenhouse has a secure spot due to future implications. As for Biffle and Edwards, 2014 will be a true battle to see who is the better option.
I think most of them will make the Chase. As O’Hara stated, I am not sure about Stenhouse, yet.
In addition, Roush Fenway Racing will have an okay year, but not everyone on the team is going to be stellar.
Nice job on the article, Ryan.