Biffle beats trouble, wins
Saturday, Apr. 18, 2009
Getty Images for NASCAR
AVONDALE, AZ - APRIL 17: Joey Logano, driver of the #20 Sport Clips Toyota, leads Joe Nemechek, driver of the #87 Chevrolet, and Brad Keselowski, driver of the #88 Delphi Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Bashas' Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway on April 17, 2009 in Avondale, AZ. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Getty Images for NASCAR
AVONDALE, AZ - APRIL 17: Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 CitiFinancial Ford, leads DJ Kennington, driver of the #81 Northern Provincial Pipelines Dodge, and Joe Nemechek, driver of the #87 Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Bashas' Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway on April 17, 2009 in Avondale, AZ. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR)
AVONDALE, Ariz. - The surprise wasn't that team owner Jack Roush earned his 100th career win in NASCAR's Nationwide Series on Friday night.
Rather, the surprise was in who earned the victory.
Carl Edwards, who entered the race as the series points leader, dominated early and led 79 of the first 97 laps but a broken valve spring sent him behind pit wall for repairs. That opened the door for Roush Fenway Racing teammate Greg Biffle to win Friday night's Bashas' 200 at Phoenix International Raceway.
Even Biffle's win wasn't secure.
With less than 20 laps remaining, Biffle and two others stayed out on a pit stop while the rest of the lead lap cars pit for tires. It appeared Biffle would be in trouble.
A big wreck with 15 laps to go slowed the advance of the cars on fresh tires and NASCAR's decision not to red-flag the race left only six laps after the caution for Biffle to hold off his competition.
There was still one more caution and a two-lap overtime remaining, but it wasn't enough time for Jason Leffler to catch Biffle, who earned his second win of the season and 20th of his career.
"I was really worried. I thought we were sitting ducks," said Biffle about his team's decision to stay out on old tires. "I think the fans got a really good show tonight.
"It's too bad we had all those cautions there at the end. There was a lot of anxiety for me inside the car. Getting the 100th victory is great."
Biffle said the long caution from the wreck with 15 laps left helped cool his tires enough to get a good restart.
"When the green (flag) came out, the car had a lot of grip," he said. "It was going to be really hauling the mail for another 10 to 15 laps anyway. I don't think (Leffler) was going to get there."
Brad Keselowski finished third for the third consecutive race, Joey Logano - who won last weekend's race at Nashville - was fourth and Kevin Harvick fifth.
Edwards finished 33rd which allowed Kyle Busch (who finished 10th) to take the series points lead. Busch now holds a 47-point advantage over Edwards.
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