Roush Fenway vying for position as season heats up at Michigan

Biffle, Kenseth, Stenhouse have eyes set on top spot; Edwards looks for Chase run

CONCORD, N.C. (August 15, 2012) – As the NASCAR season’s tension rises with the August heat, Roush Fenway Racing continues to eye the top spots in each of the sport’s top-two series. With 22 races in the books RFR’s Greg Biffle trails first place in the Sprint Cup Series by just a single point as the series heads into Roush Fenway’s top track Michigan International Speedway.

However, Biffle understands the crucial role that wins play in the Chase for a championship.

“For us, winning races is really what we have to do for bonus points,” said Biffle. “We’re not locked into the Chase by any means, but we feel like we’re in pretty good shape. We are close to the lead, but the points really don’t matter right now until you get into the Chase and bonus points are what matter. When it resets to start the Chase the only thing that will reset are the wins, so if we go in there leading the points or go in sixth we’re going to be in the same spot, so we need bonus points right now and that comes from wins.”

Fresh on Biffle’s heels is teammate Matt Kenseth who trails first place by just two points – one marker behind Biffle. Both Kenseth and Biffle have won once this season in the Cup series.

In the Nationwide Series defending champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr., used a strong fourth-place finish at Watkins Glen to climb one spot to second and trim eight points off his deficit to first. Stenhouse heads to Montreal only 13 points outside of the Nationwide Series point lead.

Carl Edwards’ agenda over the next four races is even more clear; win. Last year’s Sprint Cup runner-up, is currently 12th in the Sprint Cup point standings.

“We’re not where we’d like to be this season, but we’re working hard to rectify that,” said Edwards, who acknowledges that any win at Michigan is extra special.

“I remember we ended a long losing streak at Michigan in 2007,” added Edwards. “Any time you win at Michigan it’s big and it’s big especially for the guys who race for Jack (Roush). Jack and his business are based in Michigan. We really appreciate everything Ford has done and it’s a very special place to win near their headquarters. I think everyone in the garage feels that way with the manufacturers being so close. It’s a good place to win a race and the fans there are great.”

A victory for Edwards this weekend at Michigan could turn his season around, most likely placing him into the final Chase spot with only three races remaining before the Chase cutoff at Richmond. A pair of wins would all but assure Edwards’ seventh berth in the Chase.