Silly season, Round 1
That time already? Apparently so. Thatsracin.com is reporting that Greg Biffle is a quote-unquote leading candidate (whatever that means) to replace Rusty Wallace in the No. 2 car next season.
Huh. At this point, just about everyone in Cup, Busch and Trucks could be a quote-unquote leading candidate for the 2, one of the better rides on the circuit. Biffle's name always surfaces first because he's usually been among the more disgruntled members of the Roush crew.
With a lot more drivers definitely (Mark Martin), almost definitely (Sterling Marlin) or maybe (Michael Waltrip and probably several others) leaving the sport or losing their rides, expect a lot more Silly Season craziness over the next few months.
Friday update: Maybe it will be Ricky Craven in the 6? Or Carl Edwards in the 6 and Craven in the 99? (More here.) I'd love to see Craven back racing Cup for a better-than-average team.
Comments (3)
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How does a guy 2nd in points wanna go somewhere else? Roush Racing is superior to Penske and Biffle will move up the totem pole again when Martin retires.
Posted on April 14, 2005 9:31 PM
I have to agree with Matt on this one. When you are performing at Roush, the "Cat in the Hat" finds a way to take care of you.
This is off the top of my head, but I think this is the list of ex-Roush drivers who either never won or were win-less for 2+ years and then gone and in historical order:
1. Dallenbach #16 Keystone Beer
2. Musgrave #16 Family Channel
3. LePage #16 (Lots of Sponsors)
4. Little #97 John Deere
5. Burton #99 Citgo (2 year plus losing streak)
I don't think a current winning driver has ever left the stable.
A move from Roush to Penske is definitely not a step up and I doubt it is a lateral move.
Posted on April 14, 2005 10:39 PM
I have to agree with both of you on the Biffle thing. The story was pretty thin, and it mentioned that Biffle's talking to Roush about a contract extension. So, yeah, it would surprise the heck out of me that Biffle would go anywhere, especially considering the season he's having.
But remember that Biffle until this season has always been perceived as odd man out at Roush. Until Roush announces an extension, I'd expect Biffle's name to come shooting out of the rumor mill every time someone talks about a job opening.
Posted on April 15, 2005 10:51 AM