Greg Biffle 2011 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
2010 Stats: Points Finish 6th, 2 Wins, 9 Top Fives, 19 Top Tens, Average Running Position 14.8, Average Finish 15.4, Laps Led 543, Driver Rating 88.25
In 2010 Greg Biffle had a solid season, but not spectacular. He finished sixth in the standings, won twice, and ended the season strong. However his season was marked with consistency problems. His longest stretch of consecutive top tens excluding the first races of the season and the last races of the season was two.
The long-awaited FR9 engine was finally rolled out full-time last season. The impact of this engine was huge performance wise for “The Biff” and his teammates. The FR9 is durable and only failed twice for Roush cars last season. Both times they blew up Biffle was the driver behind the wheel (consistency problems because it was him twice).
Strengths – Biffle’s at his best on intermediate tracks and big flat tracks.
Weaknesses – Consistency has long been an issue for Biffle. He finished in the top ten in the first six races of 2010 but other than that his next longest streak of consecutive top tens was three. Three times last season he finished in the top ten two consecutive races.
Intermediate Track Grade– A-, Greg Biffle is a very good intermediate track driver. His intermediate track average in the last five races of 2010 when he didn’t blow up, crash, or have untimely cautions is 5th (Excluding Auto Club – blew up, Dover – pitted then caution came out, Atlanta – crashed). At Texas he was dominant and led 224 laps but finished 5th. One of his two wins last season came at Kansas in the Chase. If Greg Biffle’s going to have a good season look for the wins to come on this track type.
Flat Track Grade- B, Last year Greg Biffle was stellar at the big flat tracks in the summer. In back to back weeks he finished 3rd at Indy and then the following week he snapped his long winless streak at Pocono.
In the other flat track races last season he finished outside the top fifteen every race except for Phoenix (second race). What was significant about his 4th place finish at Phoenix is that he was joined in the top seven by teammates Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth. Traditionally short flat tracks haven’t been favorable to Roush cars.
Restrictor Plate Track Grade- B-, I could never responsibly advocate the use of the Biffle at these tracks. If you stick with the Biff at plate tracks then your only hurting yourself. If a driver is inconsistent like Biffle then your asking for trouble by using them at wild card races. Last year he finished 3rd at Daytona but I’m not changing my tune.
Short Track Grade- B, When it comes to short tracks I only really like Biffle at Bristol. When it comes to Martinsville I’ll never pick him. In sixteen races at NASCAR’s oldest track he’s only finished in the top ten two times and has a 23rd place average finish.
Road Course Track Grade- B, Biffle’s a mid-pack road course driver. Some times he does good and other times he’ll bite you. In 2010 he finished 7th at Infineon and 24th at Watkins Glen.
How to use Greg Biffle from a Fantasy NASCAR Perspective in 2011? When it comes to fantasy racing I would focus using Biffle exclusively on intermediate tracks, big flat tracks and Bristol.
