Elliott Wins Fourth NASCAR Race in Row

Bill Elliott broke the Darlington International Raceway speed record Sunday while winning his fourth consecutive NASCAR race.

Elliott gave Ford its fifth victory of the season and ninth in a row, dating to October of 1991.

Harry Gant appeared to have the faster car--an Oldsmobile Cutlass--but he struggled throughout the 367-lap race because of poor gas mileage. Gant was second, 7.8 seconds behind Elliott, who won for the 38th time.

Gant was the most recent driver to win four in a row, taking every Winston Cup event last September. Only three others--Dale Earnhardt in 1987, Darrell Waltrip in 1981 and Cale Yarborough in 1976--have won four in a row since 1972. Nobody has won five in a row since Richard Petty and Bobby Allison did it in 1971.

Elliott earned $64,290, averaging 139.364 m.p.h. The record was 135.594 by Ricky Rudd last year.