Kasey Kahne Claims Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 is the longest race on the NASCAR calendar. This race is a test of endurance and flexibility. It starts under bright sunshine and ends in the dark of night.

There were a number of different names at the front during tonight's race. However, for the second week in a row Kasey Kahne was the first driver to reach the finish line.

Qualifying

Kyle Busch put his points-leading Toyota on the pole for the Coca-Cola 600. Last week's All-Star winner Kasey Kahne qualified on the outside of the front row.

Brian Vickers started third in his RedBull Racing Toyota. The Roush-Fenway Fords of Greg Biffle and David Ragan rounded out the top five.

Drop Of The Green

Kyle Busch jumped out to the early lead. He stayed out front until his motor started to go soft. Kyle's problems seem to stem from an electrical issue. After losing the lead he switched batteries and stayed near the front.

Brian Vickers passed Kyle Busch for the top spot on lap 34. Vickers' time at the front was short lived though as Jimmie Johnson passed him for the lead just 13 laps later.

Storylines

The Coca-Cola 600 is the story of three different races. Daytime, evening and nighttime racing at Lowes Motor Speedway provide three unique challenges.

While the sun was still up Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Brian Vickers and Jimmie Johnson were the class of the field. However, the Coca-Cola 600 sometimes takes on a very different look when the night comes.

During the evening hours the track started to cool and the cars started to handle differently. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne and Carl Edwards were running up front during this portion of the race.

The night took over Lowes Motor Speedway around the time that Dale Earnhardt Jr. cut a tire and slammed the wall while leading the race. The pit crews took this opportunity to make changes to help the cars work better on the rapidly-cooling track.

Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Jeff Burton were out front as the field set up for the final 100 laps race to the checkers.

Chasing The Checkers

Jimmie Johnson was in the lead when his engine let go with just fifty laps to go. This set up a battle between last week's All-Star winner Kasey Kahne, current point leader Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart for the Coca-Cola 600 win.

With seventeen laps to go Kasey Kahne pitted for a splash of gas and Tony Stewart took over the lead. A few laps later he came to pit road and Kyle Busch took over the lead until the very next lap when he pitted.

When pit stops cycled through Tony Stewart was out front with a huge six second lead over Kasey Kahne.

With less than three laps to go Tony Stewart had a tire go flat. He kept it off the wall but had to pit and give up the lead to Kasey Kahne with two laps to go.

Kasey Kahne brought it home and swept the May events at Lowes Motor Speedway. He followed up last week's All-Star Race victory with a victory in tonight's 2008 Coca-Cola 600.

Top Ten

1. Kasey Kahne
2. Greg Biffle
3. Kyle Busch
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
6. Jeff Burton
7. Matt Kenseth
8. Eliott Sadler
9. Carl Edwards
10. David Reitimann

The Points

Kyle Busch posted yet another strong run and top three finish to hold onto his point lead.

Kasey Kahne scored the win in Charlotte and knocked David Ragan out of the top twelve in points. Kahne now holds onto the bubble spot in the Sprint Cup standings.

The top twelve are now:

1. Kyle Busch
2. Jeff Burton -99
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. -144
4. Denny Hamlin -254
5. Clint Bowyer -287
6. Carl Edwards -327
7. Kevin Harvick -348
8. Tony Stewart -354
9. Jimmie Johnson -372
10. Jeff Gordon -379
11. Greg Biffle -387
12. Kasey Kahne -411

Next Week

The Monster Mile hosts the Sprint Cup stars next week as the series rolls into Dover International Speedway. 400 laps on this one-mile concrete oval is a grind. This race requires patience, handling and speed to navigate the tough, tricky oval in Dover.