BROOKLYN, Mich. — Brian Vickers outlasted Jimmie Johnson in yet another fuel-mileage duel at Michigan International Speedway, taking the lead with two laps to go after Johnson ran out of gas and holding on to win his first Sprint Cup race of the season Sunday.

It was the second time in two races at Michigan this season that Johnson’s crew gambled on gas and lost. Johnson also was in the lead when he ran out of fuel back in June, handing a win to Mark Martin.

Jeff Gordon finished second, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards and Sam Hornish Jr. Series points leader Tony Stewart, who clinched his spot in the chase by starting Sunday’s race, finished 17th.

With three races left before the cutoff for NASCAR’s season-ending championship chase, the win provided a significant boost to Vickers’ chances of qualifying.