HAMPTON, Ga. -- Kasey Kahne showed early signs of being a championship contender by winning at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Monday while Bill Lester finished way back in becoming the first black driver to race in NASCAR's top series since 1986.

The top Cup rookie in 2004, Kahne slumped last year. But he's started this season with four strong performances, including an 11th-place run at Daytona and two fourth-place finishes before earning the second victory of his career.

His first win came last May in Richmond and was the highlight of a difficult sophomore season.

We had momentum,'' said Kahne, who also finished second to Jeff Burton in Saturday's Busch Series race here. "We've had momentum all weekend long.

"Man, to win at Atlanta, one of my favorites racetracks, is so cool.''

It was the first victory at Atlanta for a Dodge in 29 years, since Richard Petty won here in 1977."  More