NAPA 500 - Atlanta Motor Speedway

Busch Wins Rain-Shortened Event at Atlanta

Kurt Busch

Last week it was on the circuit’s slowest track, this week it came on the fastest. Kurt Busch won the rain-shortened NAPA 500 (or 382) at Atlanta Motor Speedway one week after winning at Martinsville. Busch joins Bill Elliott and Jeff Gordon to become the third driver to win back-to-back races this season. Mother Nature was a factor all day long, causing a 2 hour and 26 minute rain delay after 26 laps; eventually shortening the race to 248 of the scheduled 325 laps. Busch was able to stay out in front of the field for 84 of the 248 circuits to lead the most laps on the day and win his third race of the season. Joe Nemechek would claim his top effort on the year, finishing in the runner-up spot behind Busch. Dale Jarrett came home in the third spot, followed by Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the top five. Busch’s win gives Ford its 15th manufacturer's championship and third in the last four years. With the fourth-place finish, Tont Stewart leaves Atlanta with a 146-point lead over Mark Martin.

Cup Qualifying Canceled Due to Rain, Stewart Starts from Pole
Rain at Atlanta Motor Speedway canceled qualifying for the NAPA 500; the field for Sunday's race has been set according to the NASCAR rule book. Point leader Tony Stewart will start the event from the pole position, the fourth time he will lead the field to the green flag this season. Jimmie Johnson gets the outside pole, while Mark Martin and Jamie McMurray start from row two. Bill Elliott was the quickest in the practice session on Friday afternoon with a lap of 29.033 seconds, at an average speed of 190.955 mph. Elliott will line up 12th on the grid.