CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kasey Kahne was starting to feel a little guilty.
Sure, he’d finished in the top 10 in five of the last six Sprint Cup races, but he still hadn’t picked up that elusive first victory for car owner Rick Hendrick.
“Our team is solid. Our car is solid. Mr. Hendrick gives us everything we need to win races and run up front,” Kahne said. “I just knew for myself I needed to step up.”
And he did just that.
Kahne pulled away to victory in the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night, winning NASCAR’s longest race for the third time and gaining his stripes for Hendrick Motorsports the only way that matters — taking the checkered flag.
Kahne led four Hendrick cars in the top 11. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was sixth and Jeff Gordon was right behind in seventh — only his third top 10 finish of the year. Jimmy Johnson came in 11th.
Kahne crossed the finish line nearly five seconds ahead of Denny Hamlin. Kyle Busch was third and series points leader Greg Biffle fourth. It was Kahne’s 13th career win.
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