Driver Hopes to Gain First Victory at NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track in GEICO 500, Oct. 19
MONTGOMERY, AL – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Greg Biffle called his runner-up finish at Talladega Superspeedway’s May race “disappointing,” and vowed to Airmen at Maxwell Air Force Base Thursday that his mission in the Oct. 19, GEICO 500 is to “”fight and win,” a saying that is part of The Airman’s Creed.
“We were so close to winning our first race at Talladega in the spring. We were in a great position but didn’t get it done,” said Biffle, who led a race-high 58 laps but came up short in the end to Denny Hamlin. “Much like the Airmen here today, our team is comprised of warriors who don’t give up. The Airmen are trained to be the best and to keep fighting until victory is accomplished. That is the legacy that we want to leave behind, so my race team will work harder than ever to win what was within our grasp earlier this year – a Talladega triumph.”
Biffle was at the Montgomery base (over 12,500 active-duty, reserve, civilian and contractor personnel) to spend some quality time with Airmen and to let them know of the exclusive military ticket offers that Talladega Superspeedway has for its October 17-19 weekend, which features both the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race and the GEICO 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) event. Military members can get an incredible two-day Tri-oval Tower ticket offer for just $65 (save over $100) for the two races. In addition, other Talladega opportunities for military offer up to 60 percent savings (www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/military).
Biffle got to experience the “team” aspect of the Air Force first-hand during his time at Maxwell. He participated in Project X, leadership reaction coursed that focuses on problem solving with limited resources. It is a major part of training for Airmen at Maxwell AFB, which dates back to the Wright Brothers’ flying school of 1910. Biffle, who has sported various military supported paint schemes on his No. 16 Ford over the years, was the project leader for two training exercises.
“I saw the Airmen today as my race team,” added Biffle. “They were the pit crew, but I took the crew chief role instead of driver. We had to figure out a way to cross a blown-out bridge, then how to get a hurt person out of a bombed building. It was fun to work with Airmen to see how they train to help others. It was all about problem solving and we used people’s strengths and weaknesses.”
He signed many autographs and met Senior Airman Donald L. Googe, Jr., who will present Talladega Superspeedway’s newest tradition – The Freedom Trophy – to the winner of the GEICO 500 from Gatorade Victory Lane. Hamlin, in May, was the first recipient of the Freedom Trophy, a new pentagon-shaped piece of hardware that represents the five branches of the military. At each Talladega NSCS race, a different military member will make the trophy presentation. Biffle hopes to see Googe, Jr. again soon, once the checkered flag falls on the GEICO 500.
“I got to see the Freedom Trophy and it is really cool, I love the design of it and our goal is to take it home after we leave Talladega,” said Biffle, who will have to battle his way into the next round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup this weekend at Dover where the field of 16 will be reduced to 12. “At Talladega in May, it was bittersweet. There’s a good second-place finish sometimes and you just strive to get there. When you’re fighting for the win like we were in the spring, and you end up being the No. 2 guy, it’s a little harder to take. I don’t want to feel that again.”
At the conclusion of the GEICO 500, the field of eligible drivers in the Contender Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will be reduced from 12 to eight. For ticket information, call 1-877-Go2-DEGA or log onto www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.
Saturday will see the drop of the green flag for the fred’s 250 event at high noon (CST), followed by the Food Land/Food Giant qualifying for the GEICO 500 at 3:40 p.m. (CST). Later in the evening, the Saturday Night Concert featuring Thomas Rhett will take place (Free admission with purchase of aSunday GEICO 500 ticket). Sunday’s GEICO 500 gets underway at 1 p.m. (CST).
About Talladega Superspeedway
NASCAR speeds back into Talladega Superspeedway October 17-19 for the GEICO 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event. NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), with the circuit’s steepest banking (33 degrees) and longest distance (2.66 miles), is also the most fun and fan-friendly, offering up hundreds of acres of free camping, amazing kids ticket prices and special offers for military members and college students. Talladega Superspeedway is NASCAR’s “Party Capital” thanks to the track’s infamous infield and world renowned Talladega Blvd. The historic venue has always worked hard to enhance the fan experience in every way and now features the most comfortable seats in motorsports, large video viewing boards (a new initiative planned for future implementation at all ISC tracks) lining the frontstretch and endless activities for fans throughout its event weekends. Log on to www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 877-Go2-DEGA for more information.
