NASCAR Cup
Atlanta Motor Speedway race summary
HAMPTON, Ga. (March 20, 2006) -- Kasey Kahne wins at AMS: Kasey Kahne held off a late charge by veteran Mark Martin to claim the second victory of his career today at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kahne's win put a Dodge back in victory lane at Atlanta ...
Published: Mar 21, 2006, 7:11 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
HAMPTON, Ga. (March 20, 2006) -- Kasey Kahne wins at AMS: Kasey Kahne held off a late charge by veteran Mark Martin to claim the second victory of his career today at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kahne's win put a Dodge back in victory lane at Atlanta Motor Speedway after a 29 year drought. And it was 29 years to day, as the last time a Dodge visited victory lane at AMS was with Richard Petty on March 20, 1977.
In two starts in the spring race at AMS, Kahne has finished fifth and third, climbing his way to victory lane in his third spring event. His great success in the spring race, also transferred over into Georgia Power Cup qualifying and the Nicorette 300 this weekend as well.
"This weekend we ran second in the Busch race, qualified first in the Cup race and ended up winning it today," Kahne said of his weekend. "It was just a great effort by the guys and I'm proud to be driving for Ray (Evernham) right now, that's for sure."
Kahne was not only fastest during Friday night's qualifying session; he stayed in the top-five of the speed charts all weekend long.
The win moved Kahne to second in the NEXTEL Cup championship standings, just 50 points behind Jimmie Johnson.
Mark Martin finished second, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart.
"We had the best scenario there at the end," said Martin. "My car was great on the long green-flag runs and not so good on the short runs, so I thought we were going to get (Kasey) there at the end. But he got a hand full of wheel and got it down on the bottom of the track. We just didn't have anything for him."
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the top finishing Chevrolet on a day where tire wear was on the minds of the drivers.
"The track is getting a little slick, but it still puts on a great show and I wouldn't consider a paving job for a least a few more years here," said Earnhardt. "I enjoy getting around here...I love this place. I never really enjoyed getting around an older (surface) like Rockingham. It was a little too worn out for me, but this place is far from wore-out. It puts on a good show."
The Chase for the NEXTEL Cup championship will be in full-swing when the NEXTEL Cup stars return to Atlanta Motor Speedway in October for the Bass Pro Shops mbna 500.
-ams
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Atlanta Motor Speedway - Lester race quotes
Next article Atlanta: Race results
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Kasey Kahne
It's Kasey Kahne Friday every other week in the 2027 NASCAR Truck season
NASCAR Truck
NASCAR Truck
Charlotte II
It's Kasey Kahne Friday every other week in the 2027 NASCAR Truck season
Kasey Kahne officially ends NASCAR retirement for full-time Spire Truck ride
NASCAR Truck
NASCAR Truck
Kasey Kahne officially ends NASCAR retirement for full-time Spire Truck ride
Kasey Kahne is as passionate and competitive as ever at Knoxville Nationals
Sprint Car
Sprint Car
Kasey Kahne is as passionate and competitive as ever at Knoxville Nationals
Latest news
Alex Bowman hits out at critics in snarky post, shooting down early exit rumors
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
2 h
Alex Bowman hits out at critics in snarky post, shooting down early exit rumors
Ryan Blaney gets sweet redemption after 'nightmares' following 2024 Homestead loss
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Ryan Blaney gets sweet redemption after 'nightmares' following 2024 Homestead loss
IndyCar 2026 season review: Dale Coyne Racing
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 3 h
IndyCar 2026 season review: Dale Coyne Racing
Noah Gragson apologizes to Daniel Suarez for spinning him at Homestead
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Noah Gragson apologizes to Daniel Suarez for spinning him at Homestead
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe