Greg Biffle led the Nextel Cup Series with six wins in 2005. Credit: Autostock

Race winner Biffle knows where he lost Chase

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Greg Biffle says he can't be disappointed with second place. In the same breath, he laments a pair of 20th-place finishes that ended his title hopes before Homestead.

After admitting he was out of the title chase before Homestead, Biffle nearly pulled off the impossible by winning and rallying to finish second in the points.

Credit: Autostock

Inside the Chase Final point standings Rank Driver Pts. Behind 1. T. Stewart 6,533 -- 2. G. Biffle 6,498 -35 3. C. Edwards 6,498 -35 4. M. Martin 6,428 -105 5. J. Johnson 6,406 -127 6. R. Newman 6,359 -174 7. M. Kenseth 6,352 -181 8. R. Wallace 6,140 -393 9. J. Mayfield 6,073 -460 10. Ku. Busch 5,974 -559 • Race results, click here • Cup standings, click here Tony takes CupTony Stewart celebrates his 2005 Nextel Cup title Final lapsGreg Biffle and Mark Martin battle to the checkered flag Ford 400Highlights from the season-ending race via TrackPass Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

In the process, he scored his series-leading sixth win of the season after going nearly the entire second half without a victory.

As it was, Biffle ended up 35 points short, and he pointed specifically to Texas and Martinsville as the backbreakers.

"Just amazing season for us. It makes it hurt that we lost by 35 points," Biffle said. "We can go back and see so many things. Loose wheel at Texas or that bad run at Martinsville. Just a little margin.

"That was a little sting in the side was that loose wheel in Texas. [It] cost us 50 points. That kind of hurts a little bit."

Still, Biffle is smiling. For the second consecutive year, Biffle's Nextel Cup career took a sharp upswing. He has gone from one win (2003) to two (2004) to six (2005).

"Ending up second in points was just incredible. Six wins. Just amazing," he said.

Equally amazing was the way Biffle managed to win at Homestead. Biffle blew away the field to win at Homestead last year, but this year was different.

Way different. They won this race in the pits. For a guy who often wins races by overpowering the field, this make-you-good-for-the-final-laps effort was refreshing.

Biffle won the race after a two-tire call by crew chief Doug Richert with 11 laps to go.

On just two new tires, Biffle says his car came to life.

After the restart, Biffle dispatched Dave Blaney and Mark Martin, although Martin nearly came back to beat Biffle on the final lap.

"The two-tire call at the end was Doug's call," Biffle said. "The car was perfect. I drove down in Turn 1 and it just stuck.

"I put spring rubbers in and track bar and wedge all night long, the last run I was really good and we put two tires there for the last run and I was awesome. It was perfect. It took me all night to get my car where it was."