Right on Schedule, Earnhardt Wins Race

Dale Earnhardt has his eye on a sixth Winston Cup championship, and Sunday’s victory in the TranSouth 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway kept him on schedule.

Not only did it add to the point lead he brought into the event, but his first victory of 1993--matching his season total in 1992--came in the fifth of 30 races.

In his five NASCAR championship seasons, Earnhardt’s first victory has always come no later than the sixth race of the season.

Earnhardt came away holding an 804-747 lead over Geoff Bodine and Rusty Wallace, who had his fourth consecutive top-five finish.

The victory, the 54th of Earnhardt’s career--tying him for sixth with Lee Petty--came in record-setting fashion.

Earnhardt led 212 of the 367 laps, including the final 46 on the 1.366-mile oval, and finished 1.63 seconds ahead of Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett was third and Ken Schrader fourth.

The average speed of 139.947 m.p.h. broke the race and track record of 139.364 set last March by Bill Elliott.