Marlin Emerges From Wreckage

Sterling Marlin, previously a winner in only the Daytona 500, evaded a record rash of wrecks at Darlington Raceway and passed Dale Earnhardt for the lead 12 laps from the finish to triumph in a wild TranSouth 400.

Crashes and spins forced 15 yellow flags in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series race, the most ever at the 1.366-mile track dating to 1950. By unofficial count, 29 of the 42 drivers were involved in incidents that led to 87 of the event’s 293 laps being run under caution.

After the race, NASCAR impounded Marlin’s car, the Ford of Derrike Cope and the Pontiac of Bobby Hamilton. They were sent out for wind-tunnel testing to determine if the Monte Carlo has an unfair aerodynamic advantage.