Dale Jr. fast; Biffle staying put?

As of 12:20 p.m. (40 minutes to go in practice) Dale Jr is the fastest in practice leading up to tonight's qualifying session. Hendrick teammates Jeff Gordon (fourth) and Jimmie Johnson (sixth) are also in the top 10.

# Greg Biffle is in the final year of his contract with Roush Fenway Racing. Here's what he said Friday morning about his future:

BIFFLE: “My 100 percent intent is to work out an extension with Roush.  I just want to take the time necessary to get everything set up the way I’d like to see it – from team-wise and a PR standpoint and things like that.  Carl’s kind of changed a little bit.  Randy (Fuller) does both of his schedules – Nationwide and Cup – and it works really well and that’s kind of what I have and I just want to make sure that all the points are covered that a person wants to do.  I want to stay at Roush Fenway until I retire and they know that.  I guess when I said I’m not in a hurry is I’m not panicked is what I meant, I guess, by that – that I’m comfortable that I’m returning to Roush Fenway so that time is not really an issue for me, other than they need to secure an extension with the sponsor and all those things, which they’ve got time on that as well.  The sponsor is extremely happy because 3M is really enjoying being back with me and back on the 16 car fulltime and our relationship I’m real confident is gonna continue for years to come, and 3M is doing well right now business-wise and we’re in a good position.”  

# Ryan Newman also is a free agent after this season. This is what he said Friday morning about his status: "Tony (Stewart) has opened up, or is the process of opening up,potentially more doors. I wouldn't say that my phone hasn't rang off the hook. I'm in a different situation. I'm not dissatisfied where I'm at. I just haven't signed up .We'll create a correct process and get the final answer when the time comes.''

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