Kasey Kahne knew exactly what he needed to do in Sunday night's Nextel Cup race at California Speedway.

"I came here telling myself, 'You've got to win. You've got to win. You have to go out there and lead laps,'" Kahne said.

The 26-year-old Cup star managed both in the Sony HD 500, earning his series-leading fifth win of the season and closing in on a spot in the Chase for the championship with one race remaining.

To do it, Kahne had to overcome a penalty, a series of challengers and a daring fuel gamble by rookie Reed Sorenson at the end.

"These guys fought back with great pit stops," Kahne said. "I just can't thank this team enough. They just worked their butts off to get us back in this Chase and at least now we have a chance going into Richmond next week."   More