Labonte Edges Earnhardt

Terry Labonte held off Dale Earnhardt over the closing laps to win the Pontiac Excitement 400.

Labonte led the final 87 laps and finished about 12 car-lengths ahead of Earnhardt for his second consecutive victory on Richmond International Raceway’s 0.75-mile tri-oval.

Jacques Villeneuve passed Mauricio Gugelmin in the pits during their final stops and held on to win the seasonopening Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami.

It was the second Indy-car victory for the 23-year-old Canadian, who was the PPG Cup Rookie of the Year in 1994.

Leading Australian driver Gregg Hansford died after his car collided with another car on the second lap in the opening round of the Australian Super Touring Car Championship at the Phillip Island track in Melbourne, Australia.