#9-Kasey Kahne has joined an elite group of drivers as a result of his victory in the Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta. Kahnes second career victory earned the Ray Evernham-owned #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge team a spot in NASCARs Winners Circle Program, if Kahne enters, qualifies and competes in the remaining 32 races on the schedule this season beginning with Sundays Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Kahne joins the Winners Circle Program as a wild card, leaving one more wild card slot open to an additional race winner this season that is not already in the program. The Winners Circle Program, which starts each season with the top 10 winning drivers from the previous season, is designed to reward teams who have typified the best in NASCAR racing. Two wild card slots are available each year, making a total of 12 maximum spots open for the program in any season. For more info, the 2007 and 2006 charts and more, see my Winner Circle page.(3-24-2006)
UPDATE: after his win in Bristol on March 26th, #2-Kurt Busch takes over the final wild card spot on the program.(3-27-2006)
