Busch stars facing new challenges at Dover

CONCORD, N.C. -- With eight races remaining on the NASCAR Busch Series schedule, teams will be looking for any opportunity to grab momentum.

	Greg Biffle will be looking for back-to-back Dover victories. Credit: Autostock

And, what better place to do that than the one-mile, high-banked concrete oval of Dover International Speedway on Saturday. The MBNA All-American Heroes 200 (1 p.m. ET, RaceCast, TNT, MRN) will begin with Greg Biffle holding a 78-point lead on Jason Keller in the series standings.

Biffle, driver of the No. 60 Ford, won the spring race at Dover. But, Keller is considered one of the best when it comes to racing on the concrete tracks.

For Keller and the No. 57 Ford team, a softer tire from Goodyear this weekend could play to his advantage.

"Goodyear is bringing a softer tire this weekend that will give the car a whole new feel," Keller said. "I'm confident we can take what we have learned in the past three races and get back to the level of competition where we are contending for the win."

Todd Bodine leads all drivers with three BGN victories at Dover. Harry Gant sat on the Bud Pole there a record five times.

The qualifying benchmark belongs to Mike Skinner. He tackled The Monster Mile at 155.932 mph in 2000. Dale Earnhardt Jr. set the race record with an average speed of 130.152 mph in 1 hour, 32 minutes and 12 seconds in Sept. 1999.

VIDEO CLIPS After a red flag, Greg Biffle charges to Victory Lane in the spring Busch race at Dover. Play video

It was in 2000 that Keller passed Mark Martin for his first win at the track. Admittedly, the No. 57 team has struggled lately at The Monster Mile and is looking to get back to its winning ways.

"It is very disappointing to go to Dover and struggle," Keller said. "I've sat on the pole, I've won a race and I know how to drive around the track. I think I've been trying too hard to get the car to feel like it did in 2000, but so much has changed since then.

"Goodyear changed the tire we ran and the team changed manufacturers which has dramatically changed the downforce on the car. Ford has been a tremendous help in the transitions, but I can't seem to get a grasp on Dover."

For Biffle, his grasp on Dover was evident in the spring race when he led the most laps en route to his victory. But, that was then and each week brings new challenges.

"The Grainger team has recorded solid results at Dover in the Busch Series," Biffle said. "And, with the points being as close as they are right now, we need to back those up.

	The No. 57 team of Jason Keller has struggled recently at Dover. Credit: Autostock

"We're taking the same car we won with in the spring and we feel like we've got a good base setup to start the weekend with," Biffle continued. "Goodyear is bringing a softer tire compound this weekend, but other than giving the car more grip, I don't think it will change the setup much.

"The track is really fast and it's important to hit your marks and not overdrive the car entering the corners."

Don't think that this race is between just Keller and Biffle. Scott Wimmer has become a contender on concrete. Joining in the fray will be Bobby Hamilton Jr., Jack Sprague, Ron Hornaday and Kenny Wallace and others.