ROOKIE WINS
PEPSI 400!
Daytona, FL: It was only his 23rd Winston Cup race, but he ran 2nd fastest in practice. Still, Greg Biffle would never have believed it if someone had told him he would be the first rookie ever to win at Daytona.
Greg had started the race 30th in the #16 Grainger Ford, and like other drivers, he jockeyed his way to the front, only to find himself fading back again. Then, as fate would have it, he found himself in the front at the right time. With just 20 laps remaining, Greg took over the lead as the powerhouse DEI team ducked down pit road for a splash and go.
At that point, Greg only had his teammate, Matt Kenseth to assist him in the draft. Behind him, Bobby LaBonte was looking for a way to get by the two Roush drivers. Then, because Matt did not want to run out of fuel and lose precious championship points, he too ducked onto pit road. This left Greg all alone with 2 laps remaining and Bobby Labonte closing in.
As the white flag came out to signal the final lap, Greg found himself behind Ryan Newman in the #12 Alltel Dodge and Bobby's teammate, Tony Stewart in the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet. Both were fighting to stay on the lead lap. With such a short amount of time remaining, it appeared Tony would move up the track to try and provide a hook-up for Bobby to catch the draft and sling past Greg. When suddenly, Bobby began fading back. He had run out of fuel and Greg won the race!
Greg was very emotional as he climbed out of his car in Victory Circle. He couldn't say enough about
his teammate Matt Kenseth, and the help he received in those final laps. Congratulations to Greg on a
very memorable first NASCAR Winston Cup win!
Article by S. Kipple
7/05/03
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