Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510090128
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: CONCORD, N.C. LENGTH: Short
Martin, a regular in NASCAR's elite Winston Cup series and a part-time racer on the Busch circuit, earned his third Grand National victory of the season and the 20th of his career. He led 167 of the 200 laps on Charlotte's 1 1/2-mile oval, including the final 52 laps of the race.
Martin averaged 136.415 mph as he won $51,750. He now has won this race two of the last three times.
``The car was just solid,'' Martin said.
Dale Jarrett, another Winston Cup star, led 23 laps and wound up second, about 10 car lengths behind, followed by Jeff Purvis, Jeff Fuller, who started 42nd in the 44-car field, and Mike McLaughlin.
Both series point leader Johnny Benson and closest pursuer Chad Little were involved in separate crashes. Benson finished 26th, and Little came back after spending 71 laps behind the walls for repairs to finish 34th and barely keep his title hopes alive.
Benson, who came into the race with a 220-point lead over Little, now leads by 244 with two races remaining. Benson can clinch the championship by finishing 15th or better at Rockingham Oct 21, no matter what Little does.
There were five caution periods but no serious incidents and no injuries reported.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB