Wheels & Deals: Biffle, 3M Close To Extension With Roush Fenway Racing

NASCAR driver Greg Biffle Thursday said that he and primary sponsor 3M are "close to reaching an extension with Roush Fenway Racing." Biffle is in the final year of his contract with RFR, and he said that "negotiations on his deal are to the point that they could be concluded before the end of the first quarter of the season, or perhaps by the break that occurs after the third Cup race." He added that he expects the deal "to be in the two- to three-year range, as most recent contracts have been." However, he admitted the value of it will be "significantly" less than his current contract. Biffle said if sponsorship revenue is down 40%, "that's got to come from somewhere." But he added that "the 3M portion of the deal will surprise people, a suggestion that the length of the contract could be for more than three years" (David Newton, ESPN.com, 2/10).

THE THIRD WHEEL: NASCAR driver Robby Gordon announced Thursday that he and his Robby Gordon Motorsports team have "reached a deal to run Dodges in the Cup races he enters this season, which right now stands at about 18 to 20." Dodge had "three factory-backed teams" in the Sprint Cup Series in '10, with Penske Racing drivers Kurt Busch, Sam Hornish Jr. and Brad Keselowski. Penske has since "ended its Cup program with Hornish, which effectively allowed for another Dodge program" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/11).

NEED FOR SPEED: Bristol Dragway officials Thursday announced that they have "landed a title sponsor for their marquee event." The Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers have "signed a four-year deal with the dragway, one that includes title sponsorship of the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, which will be run on Father’s Day weekend." The group had partnered with Bristol Motor Speedway for the past two years (KINGSPORT TIMES NEWS, 2/11).

EXPANDING THE SET-UP: In Indianapolis, Scott Olson reported IndyCar team Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is "investing roughly $1.2 million to expand its ... headquarters by 12,000 square feet." The facility will "house a new machine shop outfitted with high-tech milling machines manufactured by Hurco Cos." Hurco also is "expected to sign on as one of the team's sponsors" for the '11 season. Meanwhile, team co-Owner Dennis Reinbold said that the team is "expected to name a new driver 'relatively soon'" to replace Mike Conway, who signed with Andretti Autosport (IBJ.com, 2/10).