Motor Racing Roundup : Earnhardt Wins in Virginia

Dale Earnhardt raced away to his second victory of the season Sunday in the Pannill Sweatshirts 500 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va.

Earnhardt led the last 181 laps of the 500-lap, 263-mile race, averaging 74.740 m.p.h. to win $53,550.

Sterling Marlin was second, finishing 1.99 seconds behind.

Earnhardt, who will be 36 on Friday, picked up his 33rd career victory.

Earnhardt, trying for his fourth driving title, added to his lead in the driver standings in winning this race for the second straight year.

Harry Gant, who hasn’t won in 70 races dating back to April, 1979, appeared on the way to a runaway until his engine blew on lap 209.

At West Palm Beach, Fla., pole-sitter Pete Halsmer of Anaheim won the one-hour GTO race at the Grand Prix of Palm Beach, averaging 85.336 m.p.h. and beating Jack Baldwin of Marietta, Ga., by 34.670 seconds. Chris Cord of Los Angeles was third.

At Madrid, Australian Kevin Magee rode his Yamaha to victory in the 500cc class race in the Spanish Motorcycling Grand Prix. Eddie Lawson of Upland was second and continues to lead the world championship standings.