Going His Own Way: Mears' breakthrough win in Coca-Cola 600 helps him live up to his family's distinguished legacy.

Byline: Mike Mulhern

May 29--CONCORD A-- It was another bizarre night at Lowe's Motor Speedway, as so many NASCAR races have been here lately.

And after several hours of madness and chaos, Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600 -- a nearly five-hour marathon -- wound up as a gas-mileage game among 12 cars. Casey Mears, Rick Hendrick's newest driver, came out on top.

Mears called the finish "unbelievable," and added "I am very, very relieved.

"It has been a long time."

Of course, it's quite fitting for a Mears to win on Memorial Day weekend. But this wasn't at Indianapolis, where the Mears clan rose to fame. Maybe this next-generation Mears is starting a new, more Southern family tradition.

Casey Mears is just one of those good guys you want to see do well, Kyle Petty said.

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