Kurt Busch wins Kobalt Tolls 500

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HAMPTON, Ga., March 8 (UPI) -- Kurt Busch led for 235 laps Sunday on the way to winning the Sprint Cup Kobalt Tolls 500 auto race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga.

The race was marred by 14 caution flags.

Busch grabbed the lead from Carl Edwards with one lap remaining, and then held off a hard-charging Jeff Gordon to record the 19th Sprint Cup win of his career.

The ecstatic winner drove his No. 2 Dodge Challenger backwards almost a full lap to celebrate his second career win at the AMS.

"This was an incredible race (and) this car was unbelievable," Busch said in a post-race television interview. "I've got to thank my (crew)."

Gordon, the series' points leader, finished second. Edwards was third, with Kevin Harvick and Brian Vickers rounding out the top-five.

Mark Martin, 50, who was the second-oldest pole-winner ever, smashed his car into the wall and finished in 31st place.