Kurt Busch puts car in reverse after Sprint Cup success

HAMPTON, Ga. — Kurt Busch grabbed the checkered flag, shifted his car into reverse and headed off on a unique victory lap.

Backward.

Too bad for everyone else he didn't drive that way during the race. It might be the only way he could have lost.

The 30-year-old Busch, a former NASCAR Sprint Cup champion who has been overshadowed lately by 23-year-old brother Kyle, drove to a dominating victory Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Kurt led 234 of 330 laps in the Kobalt Tools 500, surviving a couple of scrapes with the wall and a late caution to pull away for a 0.332-second victory over series leader Jeff Gordon.

It really wasn't that close.

"I've got to thank my guys," Busch said in victory lane. "This car was unbelievable. I guess good things come to those who wait."

Kasey Kahne of Enumclaw finished seventh and advanced from 13th to ninth in the Cup standings.

Greg Biffle of Vancouver, Wash., was 34th and dropped from fourth to 10th in the standings.

How dominating was Busch? He led more laps in one afternoon than he did all of last season (164), when his lone victory came in a rain-shortened race in Loudon, N.H.

"I just drove [against] the track, not the competition," he said. "We had strong pit stops, a great-handling car, a strong motor and a great assistant spotter."

That would be team owner Roger Penske, who flew in for the day and helped keep an eye on things from above the main stands.

"We're back in business," Penske said. "His brother is a great driver, but there's not many people out there who can hold a candle to Kurt."

Last year, Busch's lone victory was due more to strategy than skill.

Meanwhile, Kyle became a major star, winning eight races before struggling in the championship playoff.

"I needed to hold up my end of the bargain, with Kyle winning all the time," Kurt said.

Kyle, who finished 18th, pulled up beside his brother after the race and gave him a congratulatory wave.

As for the victory lap, Kurt said, "It's something me and my buddies brewed up after a few too many Miller Lites."

Gordon had his second runner-up finish of the season and said, "We're getting close. We're going to keep knocking on the door until we get to victory lane."