Marlin Survives Scramble

Pole-sitter Sterling Marlin outran a Talladega tango, staying in front of a hectic scramble for position to win the DieHard 500 in Talladega, Ala.

In a race slowed only twice by caution flags, Marlin cruised to the front of a lead pack that included from four to nine cars, never giving ground to those pursuing his Chevrolet Monte Carlo over the final laps. He averaged 173.187 miles per hour.

Dale Jarrett, who scooted into the lead draft with about 40 laps to go, finished second.

Spokane’s Chad Little placed 18th and earned $14,105.

Jacques Villeneuve shot from third place to first less than two laps from the end, surviving a race that at times resembled a demolition derby to win the Cleveland Grand Prix by 1.16 seconds over Bryan Herta.

Villeneuve, the PPG Cup points leader, was trailing Michael Andretti and Herta after 88 laps in the 90-lap race. But when Herta pressured Andretti for the lead, Villeneuve shot past both of them and briefly touched tires with Andretti before regaining control of his car - and the race.

As the checkered flag was dropped, Robby Gordon - angry about having a tire damaged in an early collision with Andretti - drove up alongside Andretti and intentionally bumped him from the side.

Gordon was fined $10,000. Andretti was placed on probation for the remainder of the season.