Martin Leads the Way in Field Cut to Seven

Seven cars on a 2 1/2 -mile race track do not make for much of a race. For that matter, neither do 12.

The International Race of Champions opened its 29th series Friday night on the high-banked Daytona International Speedway tri-oval and the identically prepared cars were almost lost on the huge circuit. Only 12 started in the series that matches drivers from different disciplines, and after a late-race accident, only seven were left.

As expected, NASCAR drivers dominated on a track where they have practiced all week for Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck races this weekend.

Mark Martin, driving the light blue No. 6 car, won a record 12th career IROC race, breaking out of a tie with Al Unser Jr. and the late Dale Earnhardt. Three more NASCAR representatives -- Martin Truex Jr., Bobby Hamilton and Matt Kenseth -- followed Martin across the finish line.

“I want to thank my NASCAR teammates, especially [Kurt] Busch, who helped get me to the front early in the race,” said Martin, who started 11th. “I didn’t think I had enough to catch Matt, but my car was working great after the restart. I always seem to draw the fastest cars for these IROC races.”

Martin is a four-time IROC series champion, having won in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Rice was fifth, first of the non-NASCAR group. The only other finishers were road racer Max Papis and World of Outlaws sprint car champion Danny Lasoski.

The other five starters were caught in an accident on the 36th lap, four laps from the end of the 100-mile race. For 30 of the 40 laps, Kenseth, Indy Car’s Helio Castroneves, Martin and Busch ran nose to tail without a change in the parade. On Lap 36, Martin made a move and shot past Castroneves to challenge Kenseth.

The sudden shift created confusion behind the leaders and someone nudged road racer Scott Pruett and got him sideways, which caused him to hit Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais and sprint car veteran Steve Kinser.

All five cars were too damaged to return to the race.

On the restart, Martin broke in front and led a three-abreast charge that saw Lasoski well below the yellow out-of-bounds line. However, there was no contact and the four NASCAR drivers paraded to the front for the final four laps.