TALLADEGA, Ala., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Brian Vickers captured the checkered flag Sunday afternoon at the Nextel Cup's UAW-Ford 500 at the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
Vickers' car crossed the finish line under caution flag ahead of Kasey Kahne, giving him his first win on the circuit.
"It's been too long," Vickers said. "We've come so close so many times and stuff happens, blown tires, pit and the caution flag comes out. To get this win, it means a lot."
Rookie David Gilliland, the surprise pole winner, brought the 43-car field to the green flag to start the race.
Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Martin Truex Jr. completed the top-five.
In the Nextel Cup points chase, Jeff Burton leads with 5,511 points; Denny Hamlin is second with 5,442 points; Mark Martin is third with 5,441 points; Kenseth (5427) is fourth; and Kevin Harvick (5415) is fifth.
