Stewart wins 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup championship

Tony Stewart knew that he had to finish in the top ten of today's NASCAR Nextel Cup finale at Homestead Miami Speedway to stay ahead of Jimmie Johnson, his closest competitor for the 2005 Nextel Cup championship. Carl Edwards in the #99 Office Depot Ford won the pole and was a potential threat at third place in the standings. The situation changed halfway through the race when Johnson blew a tire and hit the wall. He ended up in 40th place. So now Stewart has to finish in 20th place to win the championship no matter what Edwards does and Edwards was leading the race at that time. A late race caution sealed Edwards' fate as he took four tires on his pit stop when most of the leaders only took two. Edwards restarted in 12th place. The caution also clinched the championship for Stewart as he was dropping back and was going to be lapped. He restarted in 15th place on the lead lap. The finish had Greg Biffle in the #16 National Guard Ford winning the race over Mark Martin in the #6 Viagra Ford by half a car length. Edwards finished fourth and Biffle & Edwards tied for second in the points standings. The 2005 Nextel Cup championship is Tony Stewart's second title win. Congratulations to Tony Stewart, crew chief Greg Zipadelli, Joe Gibbs, JD Gibbs and everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing & sponsor Home Depot. Tony Stewart, you are da man. 2005 was a great year and we'll see you at Daytona in February.