Biffle looks to end slump, claims pole for today's Crown Royal

RICHMOND, Va. -- Greg Biffle is trying to turn things around. That doesn't mean he's going to push any harder to get better results.

Biffle, second to champion Tony Stewart in last year's Chase for the championship, posted a lap at 127.395 mph Friday, winning the pole for the Crown Royal 400 at Richmond International Raceway and giving his team a needed boost.

Biffle arrived at Richmond 23rd in the points after nine races. Tonight's race will mark the ninth time he has started in the top 10, but it's the finishes that need fixing. He has only been in that top 10 twice, none in the last four races.

"I've got to finish in the top five and that's really our goal, so I don't think it's pushing too hard," Biffle said, adding that he made a trip to his team's shop this week to reassure everyone that he knows they're all working hard.

"I've got to put up that big shield from what happened last week, what would have, should have, could have and might have happened. I've got to think about tomorrow night."

Biffle's fast lap came with just four of 47 drivers still waiting to make their run at the top spot around the 0.75-mile oval, and it knocked Roush Racing teammate Mark Martin to the outside of the front row. Martin's lap came at 127.029 mph.

Biffle was surprised it held up as well as it did, especially after he got mad and overcompensated on his second trip around for going too slow entering the first turn.

"I figured I'd kill turn three so I went in over my head and made it through there and I guess I made up what I threw away going into (turn) one," he said.

"That just goes to show I don't know what's going on out there."

It is Biffle's first pole at Richmond, and just the third of his career in 124 races in the Nextel Cup Series.