Earnhardt Holds Off Waltrip for NASCAR Win

Dale Earnhardt, in a Chevrolet, held off a charge by Darrell Waltrip during a five-lap dash to the finish Sunday to win the Goody’s 500 NASCAR Grand National stock car race at Martinsville, Ga.

Earnhardt’s one car-length victory was his fourth win on the Grand National Circuit this year and was worth $37,725 from the total purse of $279,780.

Earnhardt took the lead for good with 58 laps left and was pulling away from Waltrip and Harry Gant on the 494th lap when a spin by Bobby Hillin brought out the race’s 12th caution flag.

Waltrip and Gant went into the pits to take on fresh tires, but Earnhardt elected to stay out on the track.

Gant finished third, one lap behind the leaders. Rickey Rudd was fourth, and Kyle Petty finished in fifth place.

Bill Elliott, the NASCAR points and earnings leader, was involved in a crash and finished 17th. He now leads Waltrip by 23 points in the Winston Cup standings.

Pole-sitter Geoff Bodine had to leave the race with engine trouble on the 288th lap.