From the October, 2006 issue of Stock Car Insider

Bass Pro Shops/MBNA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway Recap

The Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway all hinged on the sun. Teams who failed to make the right adjustments when the sun went down disappeared at the end of the race.

Just ask Jimmie Johnson who dialed his car in late in the race to put him out in front. If it had not been for a late race mistake while passing a lap-down car, Tony Stewart would probably have not caught Jimmie.

The other championship drivers faired as follows:

1. (Leader) Only Matt Kenseth's would be disappointed with a 4th place finish. NASCAR's kind of consistency has an average 10th place finish in the Chase for the Championship.

2. (-26 points) Jimmie Johnson had yet another strong 2nd place finish. It seems the #48 team has recaptured the glory they had early in the season.

3. (-65 points) Denny Hamlin's is now among the list of serious championship contenders with an 8th place finish in Atlanta. Can the rookie pull of a miracle and win the Chase in his first full year of racing?

4. (-84 points) Dale Earnhardt Jr took a risky chance by not pitting on the last caution of the day. But the fan favorite held off Matt Kenseth at the line to finish in 3rd, and stay within 100 points of the leader.

5. (-84 points) Jeff Burton, must be happy with his 13th place finish. Burton's day was doomed when he had to pit under green late in the race with a flat tire.

6. (-121 points) Kevin Harvick had a nasty day finishing in a controversial 31st place. Many believe the 2006 Busch Series champion should have forgone the Busch race in Memphis on Saturday in order to get in valuable practice time at Atlanta. The practice could have helped the #29 team further dial in the handling of the car.

7. (-146 points) Jeff Gordon was the class of the field early on in the race. But around lap 170, Jeff's fortune began to turn. Joe Nemecheck pinched Gordon into the wall, and then just a few laps later McMurray got bumped Gordon from behind. The resilient Gordon fought back to finish in 6th place.

8. (-201 points) Mark Martin's has been the victim of a number of sloppy accidents this year. It seems no one on the Nextel Cup circuit respects their elders. Mark was caught up in a late race wreck which left him with a 36th place finish.

9. (-210 points) Kasey Kahnelooked poised to make his move for his 7th victory of the season. That is until lap 248 where Kahne pegged David Stremme in a wreck that pretty much ended the day for Kahne. Kahne finished in 38th.

10. (-249 points) Kyle Busch crashed early and finished in 27th. End of story.

See complete 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Race Schedule