Martin Ends His Slump

Auto racing

Mark Martin, winless on the Winston Cup circuit for 1-1/2 years and runner-up in the Save Mart Supermarkets 300 at Sonoma, Calif., for the past two years, finally got his victory Sunday.

Martin, who started from the pole, surrendered the lead only three times in mastering the 2.52-mile road course at Sears Point Raceway in Northern California’s wine country. Martin led 69 laps of the 74-lap race.

Martin, who has 19 career victories, hadn’t won a Winston Cup race since the UAW-GM 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 8, 1995.

“I appreciate this win probably more than any one I’ve ever won,” Martin said.

Jeff Gordon crossed the finish about a half-second after Martin, followed by Terry Labonte, current Winston Cup points leader Dale Jarrett and Darrell Waltrip.

Rookies take track at Indy

The Rookie Orientation Program has become as much a part of Indianapolis 500 tradition as the balloons and infield barbecues.

The U.S. Auto Club long ago gave up the pretense that it was optional. Any driver who doesn’t participate might as well stay home. He won’t be in the race.

“It’s designed to take new drivers who haven’t had an opportunity to run at this track before and put them through a program that gradually introduces them to the facility and to running in various speed categories,” Indy chief steward Keith Ward said.

Rookie orientation, rained out Saturday, began Sunday and will wind up today. The track will open for full practice on Tuesday, four days before the start of qualifications for the May 25 race.

Seventeen rookies started last year’s race. At least 11 are expected to try to make the lineup this year.

The fastest was Vincenzo Sospiri of Italy, the 1995 Formula 3000 series champion, who had a quick lap of 211.964 mph.

Amato stays hot

Joe Amato won in top fuel, Randy Anderson in funny car and Warren Johnson in pro stock in the $1,481,100 Lone Star Nationals at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas.

Amato collected his third victory of the season while Anderson made it two in a row and spoiled the 48th birthday of six-time NHRA funny car champion John Force, who lost in the final. Johnson’s victory was his second this year.