Biffle won't resume contract talks with Roush until or unless runs get better

'I’m not 100-percent happy'

JIM UTTER, jutter@charlotteobserver.com

Friday, Jun. 15, 2007

Greg Biffle on Friday said he would not resume negotiations on a contract extension with Roush Fenway Racing until the performance of his No. 16 Ford team improves significantly.

“I’m not 100-percent happy with the performance of the team,” Biffle said. “I’m not going to run 20th in points. If I’m not happy, why should I negotiate?

“We’re not cleaning house, but we’re getting better. Greg (Erwin, crew chief) is doing a great job building this race team. We have a couple of weak links we’ve talked about. We want to strengthen our team and we need to show up at the race track competitive when (the car) comes off the truck.”

Biffle has a contract through the 2008 season with Roush. However, the primary sponsor of his team is leaving at the end of this season and a new sponsor’s contract would most likely need to run concurrent with the driver’s.

Biffle has struggled this season. He is 19th in points with just one top-five and three top-10 finishes in 14 starts. His most recent Nextel Cup victory came in last year’s season finale at Homestead, Fla.

“I’m not going to sign a five-year extension running like that,” he said.

However, Biffle has not given up on Roush Fenway. In fact, his previous success at the organization, he said, leads to faith his performance will improve soon and he will resume negotiations. He called the prospects signing an extension at some point at “around 90 percent.”

“I am convinced that we have the ability to make this a championship caliber car and team. I’m convinced that Roush Fenway has the ability to make this a championship caliber car and team,” he said.

“We’ve got all the tools and resources we need. We need to execute it as far as the management side of it. Have good people and there’s technology we need to get better at.”

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