As soon as Greg Biffle acknowledged two weeks ago at Kansas Speedway that he might be up for a change of scenery next season, the rumor mill began churn!
The most recent speculation has the 46-year-old veteran joining forces with JTG/Daugherty Racing on a second team.
When JTGD team owner Tad Geschickter was contacted by the media on Monday, he replied, “We are weighing the pros and cons of starting a second team as we speak.”
Geschickter made a slow steady climb through NASCAR’s Xfinity ranks, starting with driver Jeff Fuller in 1995. In 2006, he partnered with the Wood Brothers. JTG ran Marcos Ambrose in a truck before bringing the Tasmanian through the ranks and eventually debuted a Cup car in 2008. The following year, Geschickter expanded his operation to include Brad Daugherty and JTGD was formed. Later that season, JTGD formed a technical alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing.
Although the JTGD competed on the Xfinity tour over the next two years, the focus turned to Cup. Geschickter returned to his race shop in 2011. For the last eight seasons, Geschickter, along with wife Jodi, has managed the day-to-day operations for JTGD.
In 2013, Geschickter recruited AJ Allmendinger. The following year, JTGD switched from Toyota to Chevrolet and began a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. The company won its first Cup race with Allmendinger at Watkins Glen and qualified for the 2014 Chase. Last year, JTGD extended Allmendinger’s contract for five years. Kroger’s also renewed its sponsorship with JTGD and expanded its support of the No. 47 Chevy.
Geschickter expects to stay the course with RCR after their contract expires at the end of the year. Although the Wood Brothers have shared a shop with JTGD since the end of the 2005 season, the No. 21 team is transitioning to a new home in Mooresville. The additional space would provide ample room for JTGD to expand to a second car.
On October 14, Biffle said, “I want to be competitive in races and run in the top 10. That’s my goal and my focus. If I’m not doing that, then I’m probably going to do something different.”
Since 1998, Biffle has been behind the wheel of Roush Ford. Last weekend at Talladega, Biffle posted his second top-five qualifying effort of the season. He led 13 laps and recovered from a wreck to post his first top-15 finish since Michigan in August.
However, with a lack of sponsorship on the No. 16 team, it’s unlikely the company will keep funding the car out of pocket.
And Biffle’s move to a new home, most likely JTD/Daugherty Racing, could be the best solution!
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
