Jarrett’s Big Finish Enough for Victory

There were memories of the late Dale Earnhardt everywhere Sunday at Darlington Raceway--not all of them good--as Dale Jarrett came from way back to win the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington, S.C.

Jarrett, who started second then fell to 31st only 60 laps into the race, pulled away from Steve Park during a restart 10 laps from the end to give Ford its first victory of the season. He cruised the track with his arm extended, three fingers to the sky, in what has become each winner’s tribute to Earnhardt.

Earnhardt, who died a month ago at the Daytona 500, “helped me get into victory lane today with what he taught me about this place,” said Jarrett, who won at Darlington for the third time and 25th overall.

But it was a scary reminder of Earnhardt’s death so close to the end that brought flashbacks of the accident and anxiety for all who watched. Earnhardt’s former teammate, Mike Skinner, crashed with Terry Labonte and spun to the center of the track, his car in flames.

Skinner, wearing a head and neck restraint system developed by his team, climbed out amid the fire, and was not seriously hurt. Earnhardt was not wearing such a restraint when he died of a head injury Feb. 18.

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Earnhardt’s widow urged Florida lawmakers to quickly pass a bill that would require a judge’s approval for the public to see autopsy photos.

In a statement, Teresa Earnhardt said the legislation would save families from the pain she experienced while struggling to keep her husband’s autopsy photos private.

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Three-time world champion Michael Schumacher won a mishap-filled Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang for his sixth consecutive Formula One victory.

The race was the second of the season and gave Schumacher his 46th Formula One victory, putting him five behind the record of 51 held by Alain Prost.

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Steve Portenga of Sparks, Nev. won the FoodsCo 200 NASCAR Winston West series race at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield. Portenga, who earned $12,985 for the victory, passed Austin Cameron at the beginning of lap 131. . . . Rain forced postponement of Sunday’s elimination rounds for the Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals until April 20-21 at Gainesville, Fla.