Kasey Kahne has a lot of thank you cards to write.
Kahne was voted into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race by fan vote and made the most of the opportunity by driving to his first career win in the event at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Kahne held off a hard-charging Greg Biffle in the final 25-lap segment of the 100-lap event to pick-up the over $1 million first prize.
The winning move came on pit road during the stop before the fourth and final segment. Kahne did not take tires during the stop to gain track position and pave the way to victory lane.
"I had a lot of fun racing out there tonight," Biffle said. "I was too loose out front by myself, and then I got too tight. I can't believe I got beat with no tires."
Starting 24th of 24 drivers, Kahne worked his way through the field in the four different segments of the race to become the 16th different racer in the 24-year history of the event to enter victory lane. It was also the first time a Dodge came in first in the all-star race.
Kahne was also the first driver to win after being voted in by the fans.
"I can't believe it," Kahne said. "I can't believe we won $1 million."
"It feels so good to get back to victory lane," said Kahne, who last visited victory lane in October of 2006. "It feels like we did a lot tonight to pass every car. It gives me a ton of confidence as a driver."
Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart rounded out the top five.
Ryan Newman, Sam Hornish, Jr., Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Mark Martin and Carl Edwards completed the first ten finishers.
Polesitter Kyle Busch won the first segment but his hopes of keeping his recent hot streak alive went up in smoke when an engine problem sidelined the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota during segment two.
Busch led for the first 38 laps at this 1.5-mile tri-oval, but suddenly lost speed in the second segment and had to pull out of the race on lap 50, finishing dead-last.
Edwards came across the finish line first in segment two which was followed by a mandatory ten minute break.
Biffle was ahead when the third segment ended and the field dove on to pit road for the final pit stop before the final 25 lap dash to the checkers.
Dale Jarrett came in 21st to officially end his 23-year Sprint Cup career.
Earlier in the night A.J. Allmendinger won the Sprint Showdown with Hornish, Jr. finishing second to earn both a berth in the main event.
The Sprint Cup Series now heads back to Lowe's Motor Speedway for next Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600.
