Kasey Kahne Seizes Victory In Atlanta

The asphalt was burning as usual in southern Atlanta Sunday evening, as temps climbed into the 90's and tempers also flared. Kasey Kahne clinched a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup after holding off Kevin Harvick and others through the waning laps.

Sunday night also marked the return of Tony Stewart to the track for the first time since the fatal accident he was involved in a few short weeks ago. However, he wound up finishing 41st after a wreck.

Kasey Kahne showed a flawless display up until the final lap of regulation, when Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. got tangled up, seemingly intentionally, and almost cost Kahne the race at Harvick's luxury.

Harvick got squeezed in on one of the two Green-White-Checkered restarts and collided with the wall to finish 19th. Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards rounded out the top five.

Next week, it's the short track that holds all of the drama. The last race before the Chase will be under the lights on Saturday night in Richmond.