MOTOR RACING ROUNDUP : Mansell Overwhelms Formula One Field

Nigel Mansell led from start to finish and was virtually unchallenged in winning Sunday’s Grand Prix of San Marino, a record fifth consecutive Formula One Grand Prix victory.

Mansell has won every race since the Formula One opener in South Africa last March.

The gap between Mansell’s Williams-Renault and the competition was even more evident at Imola, Italy.

Mansell got off to a blistering start from the pole position, and increased his lead lap after lap. Even after stopping to change tires, he always roared off from the pits in first place.

Mansell’s victory was unchallenged through the end of the 60-lap race, with his Italian teammate Riccardo Patrese a distant runner-up. It was the fourth 1-2 finish for the Williams-Renault team in five Grands Prix events this year.

“It was a fantastic achievement, with a fantastic car, and the only thing that did not work was my body,” Mansell said. “I finished the race with cramp and muscle spasms on my right side.

“I also had some alarm calls with oil and water. . . . It feels like a dream. I have never been so happy in my life.”

Drag racer Cory McClenathan of Anaheim recorded the first victory of his career, winning the Top Fuel title at the Goody’s Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park.

Other winners include Al Hofmann in Funny Car and Warren Johnson in Pro Stock.

McClenathan, 29, covered the quarter-mile in 4.977 seconds at 294.79 m.p.h. to defeat Michael Brotherton at 5.025 and 280.63.

Hofmann, of Umatilla, Fla., drove his Dodge Daytona to a time of 5.405 seconds at 279.67 m.p.h. to defeat Whit Bazemore of Atlanta, who smoked his tires and drove 5.928 at 254.81 m.p.h.

Johnson used a 7.223 at 192.51 m.p.h. in his Olds Cutlass to defeat Scott Geoffrion at 7.313 and 190.03.