Biffle sets record at Darlington

May 10, 2008

On a fast new surface, 41 of 44 drivers broke the qualifying record at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

But it was Greg Biffle who set the pace, turning a blistering lap of 179.442 mph last night to win the pole for tonight's Dodge Challenger 500. He shattered the previous record of 173.797 mph set by Ward Burton in 1996.

"Everybody has talked about how the track is really fast, but it's the same old Darlington," Biffle said. "It will bite you as soon as you let your guard down, especially with the speeds now."

Biffle's lap in a Ford beat Hendrick Motorsports teammates Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson, who qualified second and third in their Chevrolets. Earnhardt ran a lap at 179.357, and Johnson clocked in at 179.206.

Track officials repaved the surface over the winter, spending $7 million to smooth out the surface while maintaining the integrity of the quirky, egg-shaped, 1.366-mile superspeedway. Although the new asphalt smoothed out the trademark bumps that drove drivers nuts and gave all of them their fair share of "Darlington Stripes," it created tremendous grip that's made the cars reach eye-popping speeds.

• Nationwide Series // Tony Stewart, the two-time Sprint Cup champion who had never won at Darlington in 19 previous races, four of them Nationwide events, captured the Diamond Hill Plywood 200. Sprint Cup stars Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth and Mark Martin all wrecked.

• IndyCar // Rookie driver Alex Lloyd did not break any bones in a hard crash during practice for the Indianapolis 500 that left him hospitalized. Another accident occurred in the pits, where Dale Coyne Racing crewman Charles Buckman was knocked to the ground by Danica Patrick's incoming car. Buckman was taken to the hospital with a concussion.

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Biffle sets record at Darlington

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Biffle sets record at Darlington

Related topic galleries: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, Mark Martin, NASCAR, Athletics, Track and Field, Danica Patrick

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