NASCAR Head-2-Head: Matt Kenseth v Greg Biffle

Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

In this week’s edition of NASCAR Head-2-Head, we compare Matt Kenseth vs. Greg Biffle and summarize their seasons to date along with our opinion on who has the competitive edge right now.

Each week, we’ll pick two drivers in similar circumstances – i.e. at a similar point in their careers, similar backgrounds, held in a similar regard among fans or who have developed a rivalry between them. Statistics from their careers-to-date and season-to-date will be analyzed, as will driver ratings, current streaks / slumps and fan sentiment. We’ll put them head-to-head and give you our winner.

Kenseth and Biffle were chosen because they are close in age, have been racing in NASCAR approximately the same length of time and are each approaching (or are in) the twilight of their careers.

Be sure to let us know what you think! You may comment below or reach us via our social media channels. Also, if there are two drivers you would like to see compared, be sure and let us know that as well.

Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Driver: Matt Kenseth

Car / Team: No. 20, Joe Gibbs Racing

Season: 19th (17th Full-Time)

Wins: 38

2016 Top 5 Finishes: 7

2016 Top 10 Finishes: 16

2016 Number of DNFs: 4

2016 Average Start: 9.7

2016 Average Finish: 13.8

Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 89.2

Career Highlights:

Next: This Week's Driver #2: Greg Biffle

Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Driver: Greg Biffle

Car / Team: No. 16, Roush-Fenway Racing

Season: 15th (14th Full-Time)

Wins: 19

2016 Top 5 Finishes: 1

2016 Top 10 Finishes: 3

2016 Number of DNFs: 7

2016 Average Start: 20.2

2016 Average Finish: 22.5

Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 74.3

Career Highlights:

Next: Making The Case For Kenseth

Matt Kenseth’s 2016 Summary

Regular Season – First Half

Any Cup driver fortunate enough to be a part of Joe Gibbs Racing in 2016 would soon realize that they had one of the most prized jobs in the sport. Kenseth clearly has made the most of his opportunities this season, delivering solid results expected from a veteran driver matched with A-list equipment. Matt had five top-10 finishes, highlighted by a win at Dover in May. He also qualified in the top-10 nine times. The No. 20 team also led 398 laps in this stretch, leading at least one lap in all but two races. He has to be considered a contender on any race weekend.

Regular Season – Second Half

The second half of the regular season saw Kenseth continue with his consistency and produce another five top-10 finishes and score a second win at Loudon in July. His strong qualifying results continued as well, with seven top-10 starts. He did not lead as many laps in as many events, but his competitors would be foolish to count him out anywhere. He did struggle a bit on short tracks, with crashes at both Bristol and Richmond.

2016 Chase

Kenseth has apparently saved his best for last in 2016. At the half-way point of the Chase, he has finished all five races in the top-10, and won the pole in dominating fashion for Kansas. He has completed every lap, and has second-place finishes at both Loudon and Charlotte. If he can survive this weekend’s race at Talladega and reverse his short-track misfortunes at Martinsville the following week, the season’s final three races at Texas, Phoenix and Homestead-Miami suit him very well.

Greg Biffle’s 2016 Summary

Regular Season – First Half

Unfortunately, the first half of 2016 didn’t bring the turnaround that Biffle or Roush-Fenway Racing have been on a 5-year quest to find. He had no top-10 starts or finishes, and had engine trouble at California Speedway and crashed at both Texas and Dover. Occasionally, he would show some speed and enjoy a good practice session or two, but the team could not find the consistency necessary to carry it forward to qualifying or the race. His best finishes were an 11th., 12th., and 13th. at Charlotte, Bristol and Atlanta respectively. He also led six laps at Dover before his crash.

Regular Season – Second Half

The summer months proved to be a little bit more enjoyable for the No. 16 team. Biffle won the pole for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona in July and had a streak of three consecutive top-10 finishes at Daytona (8th.,) Kentucky (6th.) and Loudon (5th.) Unfortunately, crashes followed at Indianapolis, Watkins Glen and Darlington, adding to the DNF total and hurting Greg’s season-to-date average finishing position. It is another example of short-term gains being wiped out by inconsistency.

Chase Races

Clearly, with the results described above, Biffle did not qualify for the 2016 Chase, and although he is signed with RFR through the 2017 season, there are rumors that he may depart sooner. He is the oldest active Cup Series driver (46,) and the “R” word has surfaced more than once. Biffle owns the shop used by H. Scott Motorsports, and some rumors have him landing there after Clint Bowyer moves on to Stewart-Haas Racing next year. Biffle is also the last of the veteran drivers eligible for NASCAR’s “hat-trick,” by winning championships in all three national touring series, but it would appear that his chances of ever seeing a Cup title have passed him by.

Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Winner: Matt Kenseth

Both Biffle’s and Kenseth’s series championships were quite some time ago — 2000 and 2002 for Biffle and 2003 for Kenseth. Some newer fans might not realize that it was Matt’s extreme domination of the 2003 season that led to the development of the Chase originally. Each driver has seen success in marquee events, and each has enjoyed a long (relatively speaking) and successful NASCAR career.

However, due to his significantly-higher season-to-date driver rating of 89.2, his wins and consistent strong finishes this year (particularly in the Chase,) Matt Kenseth wins this week’s Head-2-Head battle.

Be sure to let us know what you think by commenting below or reaching us via our social media channels. Also, if there are drivers you would like to see compared Head-2-Head, be sure and let us know that information as well!