Atlanta: Jeff Gordon's 85th

Although postponed by two days for safety reasons, the Atlanta event was not contested under mild skies. The race was even interrupted twice due to a few drops of rain, the first neutralization lasting 25 minutes. Jeff Gordon wasted no time in highlighting himself. After 164 laps of the 1,5 mile oval, the Hendrick Motorsport resident had already led 100. He will then have to wait until the 276th loop to see him again in the lead after having gained the best of his crewmate Jimmie Johnson.

From then on, he only had to take care of his driving, his mechanics taking charge of making a pit-stop under the green flag on the 276th lap, in order to win for the third time this season. With 22 laps to go, he nevertheless had to work to contain the attacks of Johnson, whom he ultimately beat by 0?598. “ It was fun. I slipped, then it was his turn? On several occasions, I believed that he would manage to pass “, he admitted. Thanks to this 85th success in the premier category of the Nascar, Jeff Gordon now overtakes Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip on the list and ranks third in history, behind "King" Richard Petty (200 victories) and David Pearson (105). As for the Hendrick team, it won for the 198th time in the Sprint Cup.

Thanks to his 2nd place, Jimmie Johnson takes sole reins of the championship, Kyle Busch not having managed to rank better than 23rd. Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Carl Edwards completed the top 5. With the championship in mind, nine drivers are now officially qualified for the Chase for the Cup. In addition to Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman and Brad Keselowski (thanks to his three victories) were added to the list. The last three will be known in the evening of Richmond this weekend. For now, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin hold the rope.