Biffle leads all-Roush front row in Michigan

Greg Biffle

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Roush Fenway Racing driver Greg Biffle covered the two-mile oval of Michigan International Speedway in 37.83 seconds (190.345 mph) to capture the pole for Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 Sprint Cup race. He will be joined on the front row by Roush Fenway teammate Matt Kenseth, who finished runner up in the Cup race earlier this year at MIS.

“I don’t think that could have gone any better," said Biffle “ I tell you what. This team has needed it. We have great cars and I can’t say enough for (crew chief) Matt Puccia and this 16 team. They work really hard and I am proud of them. All of a sudden Matt (Kenseth) is becoming a hell of a qualifier. He makes fun of himself when he gets up there and says that the throttle sticks. What a great job for the whole Ford camp. I want to thank Ford for all of their support and I know this means a lot to them here in Michigan to have this thing on the front."

In winning the seventh Coors Light pole award of his career and his first since 2008, Biffle edged Roush Fenway Racing teammate Matt Kenseth (190.209 mph) during Friday's time trials at the 2.0-mile track.

Ryan Newman (189.573 mph) qualified third, followed by Denny Hamlin (189.294 mph) and Mark Martin (189.190 mph).

With a new engine under his hood — and without sacrificing speed for durability — Hamlin held the top spot until Newman, Biffle and Kenseth bettered his speed.

Hamlin came to Michigan with an engine shipped to Joe Gibbs Racing from Toyota Racing Development in California, the first volley from the recently announced engine collaboration between the two organizations. Kyle Busch, who qualified 17th, had a JGR engine under the hood of his No. 18 Toyota, as will be the case for the rest of the season.

Carl Edwards, tied with Busch for the Series points lead, starts 22nd Sunday.

Lineup

+ Set by Owner Points