Bodine Holds Off Waltrip to Win; Elliott Bruised but Not Injured

Defending Daytona 500 champion Geoff Bodine held off Darrell Waltrip in a one-lap dash to the checkered flag Saturday to win the Goody’s 300 for NASCAR Grand National cars, his second victory in two days.

Bodine also won Friday at Daytona International Speedway in the opener of the International Race of Champions series.

A caution period caused by Bill Elliott’s spin in turns one and two on the 115th lap of the 120-lap event was lifted on the final lap with Bodine leading.

Bodine opened up a five-car-length lead coming out of turn two on the final lap, but Waltrip began to make up ground and pulled up behind Bodine going into turn three.

Waltrip swerved to the inside of Bodine coming out of turn four in an attempt to pass, but Bodine held him off to win by three-quarters of a car length.

Bodine had taken the lead going into turn one on the 107th lap when front-running Dale Earnhardt, last year’s winner, blew an engine. Earnhardt led 63 laps before leaving the race.

Larry Pearson finished third with Bodine’s younger brother, Brett, getting fourth.

Elliott, the polesitter for today’s 500, said he was a little banged up from the spin, but not seriously hurt.

“I don’t know what happened,” he said. “I was going into the first turn, the car turned sideways and the next thing I knew I was spinning out. I’m all right, but I’m going to be sore in the morning.”