Biffle and Grainger Team Test at Kentucky Speedway

SPARTA, Ky. (December 1, 2000) - What was supposed to be a two-day test session at Kentucky Speedway on November 27th and 28th for the No. 60 Grainger Busch Series team and others, wound up being a one-day test instead due to weather. The teams were on-hand to test new motors with a 12:1 compression ratio that NASCAR mandated the Busch Series will run during the 2001 season. To no ones surprise, a Roush Racing motor clocked an unofficial fast time of the day with Biffle behind the wheel.

Biffle tested one of Jeff Burton's No. 9 Busch Series cars at Kentucky, simply because the shop guys are hard at work building the No. 60 Grainger cars for next season and they lack some final touches. The main purpose of the session was to allow teams to run motors with the new compression ratio, testing performance and endurance while giving the drivers a feel for more horsepower.

"The new ratio is producing about 130 more horsepower than before," Joe Tryson, engine special with Roush Racing said. "The drivers are going to be looking at horsepower averaging in the 690 range compared to an average of 560 in the past."

Biffle was really pleased with how the day went for the Grainger team and although he wasn't in one of his cars for next season, he felt confident everything they learned would easily transfer over to any car.

"The new motors are super fast and they've got massive amounts of horsepower," Biffle said. "I've driven some Busch cars before and you can definitely tell a difference with the new ratio that we'll be running next season. The Craftsman Trucks had a substantial amount of horsepower, so I believe the transition for me into the Busch Series is going to be easier now, because many of the teams and drivers are used to running the old way. Most of the teams may have to adjust their setups that have worked in the past to accommodate the engine change, so I think the playing field is going to be pretty level."

"We're very pleased with our results from the test session," crew chief Randy Goss said. "It was satisfying to everyone for us to go out for our first test and run well. I know Greg (Biffle) really wants to perform well next year to prove he is a great driver for any series, and posting good speeds at the test certainly gave him and everyone on the team a great confidence booster. We're starting to get all of the personnel in place for next season and the guys are well on their way to having cars completed and ready for Daytona. I'm excited about this new deal and I know everyone on this team is eager to get the 2001 season underway."