ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 26, 1996 TAG: 9605280123
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CONCORD, N.C.
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
Mark Martin continued his devastating efficiency in the Busch Grand National series Saturday, winning the Red Dog 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway after losing a lap midway through the race.
It was Martin's fourth victory in seven Busch events this season and his 24th win in 135 career starts. He's tied for second in all-time Busch wins with Tommy Houston. They trail retired driver Jack Ingram, who had 31 victories.
Martin, who led 52 laps, drove under Derrike Cope in the third turn on lap 176 to take the lead for good.
Dick Trickle was second, followed by Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte and Randy LaJoie. Also in the top 10 were pole winner Dale Jarrett, Cope, Joe Nemechek, Mike Wallace and Ward Burton.
``Things are working really good,'' Martin said. ``I believe it's just a good time for us right now.''
Martin also had luck on his side Saturday.
The race's only yellow flag, which came on lap 165 for Jeremy Mayfield's one-car crash in turn 4, forced the entire field to make pit stops and eliminated a situation where Martin was going to have to pit on his own.
Martin had been forced to pit early on lap 110, thus setting up the need for the extra stop, because his crew was unable to fill his gas tank fully during a regularly scheduled stop on lap 75.
A safety valve in the fuel system of his Ford Thunderbird failed to work properly during the lap 75 stop. Martin ran 35 laps, but had to pit earlier than the rest of the leaders.
That put him a lap down, which he regained on the track. But he was still going to have to make the extra stop - until Mayfield crashed.
``The problem was that this was a brand-new car,'' Martin said. ``It had never been fueled in a pit-stop condition. All the cars have flapper valves at the back that have to be open during fueling. Our catch can did not open the flapper valve.''
``The one caution that came out came out at a good time for us,'' Martin said. ``It worked out well for us. I'm usually on the receiving end of not-so-good fortune.''
David Green, who finished 19th, two laps down, retained the Grand National points lead over LaJoie 1,505 to 1,398.
Mayfield's crash occurred after his feet and rear were burned when the inside of his car overheated. Mayfield was released from the infield care center after treatment. Bobby Hamilton stepped in to relieve Mayfield in his Winston Cup car during the final Cup practice following the race.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Dick Trickle leads Dale Jarrett, Randy LaJoie andby CNBJeff Burton during early laps of the Red Dog 300 at Charlotte Motor
Speedway on Saturday. Trickle ended up finishing second behind race
winner Mark Martin. KEYWORDS: AUTO RACING