TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) -- Jeff Gordon seized the lead from Dale Earnhardt Jr. with six laps remaining and barely beat him in a controversial finish Sunday, ending DEI's winning streak at Talladega Superspeedway.
With Earnhardt making a strong move to pass for the lead coming off turn four on lap 184 of the 188-lap Aaron's 499, rookie Brian Vickers and Casey Mears collided, sending Vickers sliding and bringing out the 11th caution flag of the race.
Under NASCAR's rule change from last fall, freezing the field when the yellow comes out rather than letting the competitors race to the flagstand, Gordon got his first Nextel Cup victory of the season, third on Talladega's 2.66-mile oval and the 65th of his NASCAR career.
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