HAMPTON, Ga. -- Carl Edwards completed a sweep of the NASCAR Nextel Cup races at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and made up some ground in the Chase for the championship.

Edwards, who barely held off veteran Jimmie Johnson for his first Cup victory on the Georgia track in March, had a dominating car through the second half of the 325-lap Bass Pro Shops 500.

Edwards, in his first full season in NASCAR's top stock car series, lost a lead of more than 6 seconds when the last of nine caution flags waved for debris on lap 283. But he was able to regain control and pulled away to earn his third victory of the season, beating four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon to the finish line by 2.713-seconds, half the front straightaway on the 1.5-mile oval.

Tony Stewart, the hottest driver in the series since June, finished ninth and increased his lead atop the standings from 15 points to 43 points over Johnson, who finished 16th -- the last driver on the lead lap.

Edwards, who led eight times for 115 laps, including the final 36, led four other Chase contenders in finishing ahead of Stewart, tightening the overall points battle with three races remaining.  More