We are roughly two weeks away from the Daytona 500 and Greg Biffle already has an advantage over the entire field. No, Harry Hogge did not build him a special car that has an extra low engine, extra tick oil pan to cut the wind from underneath it to increase horsepower, a longer fuel line for an extra gallon of fuel, or have it be shaved into the shape of a bullet. I’m talking about his windshield and how he’s using the newly developed 3M Crystalline 90 Window Film to not only stay cool but look cool as well.
The Crystalline 90 Window Film offers clear film technology that reduces glare and helps to make the cockpit cooler than traditionally used window film. This is key at most tracks, but more importantly a track like Daytona, where a late start means they will be racing when the sun is scheduled to be going down. Being able to see clearer can make the difference between spraying champagne in victory lane or taking a ride back to the garage on a tow truck. Reducing the heat inside the car will also aid Biffle in being more refreshed and comfortable on the track and more importantly in the closing laps. 3M Crystalline Automotive Window Films feature a proprietary, multilayer optical film technology that combines over 200 layers in a film that is thinner than a Post-it® Note. This unique technology is the reason a clear film can reject more heat than darker films.
This is not Biffle’s first rodeo with the product, as he tried it last year at Phoenix. He commented that about that experience, “We tried it out last year in Phoenix and I felt like it made a real difference in reducing the solar heat in the car. It can get extremely hot inside the racecar, so anything that can be done to cut the heat helps tremendously.”
The development of the film was done throughout 2011 and was tested by Penske Racing on 20 windshields, including ones on Kurt Busch’s #22 car. Other advantages to the film is the fact that the film is non-metallized that will not create any interference with any of the car’s electronics.
Both 3M and Biffle are looking for the Crystalline 90 Window Film to provide them a clear path to the winner circle in 2012.
Greg Biffle will be cooler in 2012 with 3M technology (Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR)
