Mears takes Coca-Cola 600

CONCORD, N.C., May 27 (UPI) -- Casey Mears won Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., just ahead of J.J. Yeley.

Mears avoided losing ground to some early multi-car accidents, and then got the most out of his final tank of fuel, as his No.25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet crossed the finish line 9.561 seconds ahead of Yeley.

Mears ran out of fuel just seconds after the checkered flag -- and needed a push to get to Victory Lane.

It was Mears' first Nextel Cup career victory.

Kyle Petty, Reed Sorenson and Brian Vickers rounded out the top-five.