Greg Biffle of Vancouver, Wash., wins NASCAR event | Auto racing

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Is anybody noticing Greg Biffle of Vancouver, Wash., has a pretty good chance of winning this season's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship?

It doesn't matter to a defiant Biffle, who figures he will contend for the title until November, when the season at NASCAR's highest level wraps up in Homestead, Fla.

"A lot of people don't expect us to win the championship or compete for the title," Biffle said Sunday after winning the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway. "I don't care.

"But we will be a factor when we get to Homestead."

Biffle's 18th career victory vaulted him back into first place in the standings — 20 points ahead of Matt Kenseth — as the start of the Chase for the Cup looms, three races away. Biffle had the points lead for 11 consecutive weeks before surrendering it to Kenseth at Pocono in June.

Brad Keselowski placed second. Kasey Kahne of Enumclaw was third and is 11th in the standings.

Five-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson was leading the race when his engine blew with six laps remaining; he finished 27th.

Note

• Ron Capps (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock), Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won their divisions at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn.

By The Charlotte Observer and The Associated Press