Biffle runs out of gas, but is season on empty too?
Driver declines interview, but teammate says don't count him out
By David Newton, NASCAR.COM
April 23, 2006
01:43 AM EDT (05:43 GMT)


AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Greg Biffle disappeared into the darkness of the motorcoach lot at Phoenix International Raceway late Saturday night, leaving the garage without talking to a group of reporters in close pursuit.

His hope of making another run at the Nextel Cup title may be disappearing as well.

Biffle finished 16th after running out of gas while running second with two laps remaining, leaving him 21st in points and 166 points out of the top 10 that qualifies for the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

The frustration was evident by his quick exit.

It was shared by many in Roush Racing.

"It's frustrating as hell,'' said crew chief Doug Richert, forcing a smile. "Our whole year has been like this. Yeah, we thought we were short on fuel. We tried to get off the pedal to try to save it.

"But I would have given it away if we stayed out knowing we couldn't make it or we would have given it away if we'd come in and gotten gas. What do you do?''

Biffle led the most laps (151) for the third time this season. He led 141 more than race winner Kevin Harvick, who passed him with nine laps remaining.

Biffle also led the most laps at California, where engine problems with about 20 laps remaining left him 42nd, and at Atlanta, where he finished 16th.

"I feel a little snakebit,'' Richert said. "On the other hand, the performance is still there. I guess it could be worse. We could run worse and still be where we're at.''

Team owner Jack Roush was equally frustrated.

"Everybody is upset,'' he said. "It's a hard one to lose.''

To make matters worse, Mark Martin ran out of gas about the same time as Biffle while running fourth. He led 111 laps, second only to his teammate.

"We had probably two of the best cars,'' Roush said.

It wasn't all bad for Roush. Matt Kenseth, the 2003 Cup champion, moved from second to first in points with a third-place finish.

But as happy as Kenseth was for himself, he felt for Biffle.

"I thought he was going to win for sure because every time we carpool and ride together to the track he seems to win almost every time,'' said Kenseth, who is nine points ahead of Jimmie Johnson in the standings.

"I feel bad for Greg. It's hard to look at the good side if you're him, but he's been leading these races. He's had a car good enough to win three or four races this year and he's just had things happen.''

Biffle can take solace in that Kenseth was 21st heading into this race a year ago and qualified for the Chase when it appeared his season was lost.

"I have no doubt Greg's going to make the [Chase],'' Kenseth said. "He's running so strong there's no doubt in my mind he's going to be in the top 10 at the end of the year.

"He's got the cars that can do it and he's not doing nothing wrong, so I don't think he needs to change any of his approach or the team needs to change their approach.''

Richert hopes so.

"What else can we do?'' he said. "We'll just go back and try to avoid the Big One in Talladega.''

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