- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Sprint Cup
CUP: Biffle Leads Extra Practice
Some teams experience handling problems as drivers test replacement tires at Michigan…
Greg Biffle, driver of the No.16 3M/Salute Ford, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Series Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
Sprint Cup drivers participated in an anxious extra practice Saturday evening at Michigan International Speedway, adjusting their cars to compensate for the use of new left-side tires for Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400.
Greg Biffle had the fastest speed – 195.647 miles per hour – in the 75-minute session, an unusual addition to the Saturday schedule. Goodyear changed left-side tire compounds Friday night after several teams experienced tire blistering in practice, and NASCAR added the Saturday evening session to give teams some track time with the new tires.
Speeds dropped significantly from earlier. Biffle had run the week’s fastest practice lap (204.708), and Marcos Ambrose won the pole earlier Saturday at 203.241 – both on the weekend’s original tires.
In the top five in the session, in addition to Biffle, were Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne and Jamie McMurray.
“The balance of the car was far different,” said Johnson, echoing comments by several other drivers during the session. “It took almost the whole practice to get the car comfortable. If there is a tire problem, we’re stuck with it now. You just don’t want to be the first guy.”
Despite winning the pole on the old tires, Ambrose fought constant problems in the bonus session. “It kind of feels unbalanced and a little bit wobbly,” he said. “You don’t want to be wobbly at 200 miles per hour. You want to feel like the car’s underneath you.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose practice time was limited because his Hendrick Motorsports’ team was watching the life of its engine, said the new tire is “really slick. I can’t practice any more. This ain’t cool.” Asked if the decision to change tires was a good one, he said, “I think we’ll debate that one for a long time.”
But Ryan Newman said the switch was “absolutely the right call. Tire temperatures are way down.”
Speeds dropped markedly from Ambrose’s pole speed in part because teams were using race setups – not qualifying trim – in the final practice.
Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 30 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.
Greg Biffle had the fastest speed – 195.647 miles per hour – in the 75-minute session, an unusual addition to the Saturday schedule. Goodyear changed left-side tire compounds Friday night after several teams experienced tire blistering in practice, and NASCAR added the Saturday evening session to give teams some track time with the new tires.
Speeds dropped significantly from earlier. Biffle had run the week’s fastest practice lap (204.708), and Marcos Ambrose won the pole earlier Saturday at 203.241 – both on the weekend’s original tires.
In the top five in the session, in addition to Biffle, were Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne and Jamie McMurray.
“The balance of the car was far different,” said Johnson, echoing comments by several other drivers during the session. “It took almost the whole practice to get the car comfortable. If there is a tire problem, we’re stuck with it now. You just don’t want to be the first guy.”
Despite winning the pole on the old tires, Ambrose fought constant problems in the bonus session. “It kind of feels unbalanced and a little bit wobbly,” he said. “You don’t want to be wobbly at 200 miles per hour. You want to feel like the car’s underneath you.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose practice time was limited because his Hendrick Motorsports’ team was watching the life of its engine, said the new tire is “really slick. I can’t practice any more. This ain’t cool.” Asked if the decision to change tires was a good one, he said, “I think we’ll debate that one for a long time.”
But Ryan Newman said the switch was “absolutely the right call. Tire temperatures are way down.”
Speeds dropped markedly from Ambrose’s pole speed in part because teams were using race setups – not qualifying trim – in the final practice.
Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 30 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.
Shake and Bake: Recent Posts
-
Being A NASCAR Rookie Is Much Harder Than It Looks »
-
WAG Samantha Busch Has Some Hardcore Fans Of Her Own »
-
Edwards Is A Bully And Kes Has Diarrhea Of The Mouth »
-
5-Time "About Got (Expletive) Wrecked" For Listening To NASCAR »
-
ICYMI: The Biff Stands By Decision To Not Help Edwards »
-
Blowout Blame Game: Is It The Tire Or The Crew Chief? »
-
Biffle Loves It When The #48 Crashes Trying To Catch Him »
-
Rubbin' Is ... Amazing? Think You Can "Finish That Phrase"? »
Latest Gallery
LATEST HEADLINES: NASCAR
-
Winged Sprint-Car Wreck Claims Jason Leffler
Jason Leffler lost his life Wednesday night in a winged sprint-car… -
MCREYNOLDS: Dover Showed Gen-6 Car Is Strong
The biggest storyline of the year is the introduction of the Generation… -
CUP: Richard Petty Motorsports Expands Development Program
Young drivers join new Petty program... -
CUP: Monster Mile Gets Toyotas
Toyota teams find setbacks at Dover... -
CUP: Kez Is On The Down-Low
Bard Keselowski's car too low after race... -
CUP: Dover Power Rankings
Despite a rare and costly mistake, Jimmie Johnson holds onto the… -
CUP: Montoya Edges Closer To Oval Win
Juan Pablo Montoya loses shot at first victory on oval… - More News
