One year ago at this time, all NASCAR fans could talk about was Jimmie Johnson – and rightfully so. The racing phenom had won two consecutive Cup Series titles and was the reigning Kobalt Tools 500 event winner at Atlanta Motor Speedway. And if anyone was going to defeat Johnson in 2008, it would likely be Carl Edwards, who had won the season’s previous two races (Auto Club 500 and UAW-Dodge 400).

Instead, it was 22-year-old Kyle Busch who picked up the fifth victory of his career, holding off teammate Tony Stewart to become the winner of the 2008 Kobalt Tools 500. Driving the No. 18 car—the same car Bobby Labonte once used to win six total races in Atlanta—Busch exclaimed, “The 18! The 18! The 18 is back at Atlanta!”

(By the way, neither Johnson nor Edwards finished in the top 10.)

This Sunday, Busch will be trying to go back-to-back at the 2009 Kobalt Tools 500. Anything can happen, however, and odds of Busch repeating are stacked against him: no driver has won back-to-back Kobalts since Cale Yarborough won three straight from 1967-69 (when it was known as the Atlanta 500).

THE FAVORITES            

You can’t start a year any hotter than Matt Kenseth did, who won the first two races of the 2009 season (Daytona 500 and Auto Club 500). Though Kenseth’s bid at three straight was thwarted last week, he is still third in overall points and is hoping to improve his ninth-place finish in the Sprint Cup Series standings from 2008.

Then there’s Johnson, who could use his second Kobalt victory in three years to rise in the standings. Surprisingly, the three-time defending Sprint Cup champion is not ranked among the top 12 early on in the season, which is where drivers need to be in order to qualify for the “Chase for the Sprint Cup” at the end of the year. Let’s not kid ourselves, he’ll be there soon enough – but this would be the perfect opportunity to jump-start his 2009 season.

In addition to Johnson and Busch, the latter of whom won last Sunday’s Shelby 427, plenty of NASCAR’s top names have won this race in years past and will be looking to rediscover their magic. “The Rainbow Warrior” Jeff Gordon, who currently leads in the overall standings, has won the race twice – once in 1995 and again in 1999. Labonte’s aforementioned victories in Atlanta include two at this event (1998 and 2003). Dale Earnhardt Jr. saw the checkered flag in 2004 and his father, the late legendary Dale Sr., was a five-time winner. Stewart, Edwards and Kasey Kahne round out the list and each have won in the new millennium.

DRIVERS TO WATCH

Experts have been giving nothing but praise for Joey Logano, dubbing him “Sliced Bread.” While Logano is far from The Chase as it stands, he is the clear favorite to win the 2009 Rookie of the Year Award. A victory here certainly seems like a long shot, but keep in mind that the 18-year-old Georgia resident has more or less been raised on the local track. In fact, as a 10-year-old, Logano set the Atlanta Motor Speedway record for 14 consecutive victories as a Legend car driver. And hey, his car (No. 20 Home Depot) has already won the race, as Stewart won the 2002 event as its former driver.

Greg Biffle has already posted a top-five finish and closed the 2008 season in third place overall. He had his best Series finish in 2005, tying for second overall with Edwards, and is a consistent threat for The Chase.

But the sleeper here is Kevin Harvick. The man behind the wheel of the No. 29 Pennzoil seemed all but dead in the Daytona 500 before clawing his way back to finish second – and may have even won it had rain not shortened the event. Harvick was unable to win a single race in 2008 but still managed to finish the season in seventh place. Redemption may be coming this Sunday.

WEEKEND ACTION

Before the race begins, fans have a chance to witness the drivers fight for starting position in the Georgia Power Qualifying (Friday, March 6). Last year’s pole winner was Gordon, who clocked in at 185.251 miles per hour. Then on Saturday, March 7, the American Commercial Lines 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race gives fans 135 laps of hardcore action – Busch picked up the victory last year, giving spectators a taste of what was to come the following afternoon.

The Kobalt Tools 500 kicks off on Sunday, March 8 at 2 p.m. The 125,000-seat Atlanta Motor Speedway has always been known as one of the most fan-friendly tracks on the circuit, providing some of the best tailgating experiences around. To purchase tickets, visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com or call 1-877-9-AMS-TIX.

No matter who emerges victorious this Sunday, one thing is for sure – you won’t want to miss the chance to see one of the most exciting early-season races right here in Georgia.

Arapoglou can be reached at tarapoglou@scoreatl.com.