Martin Grabs Win As Earnhardt Narrows Gordon’s Points Lead

Mark Martin won for the second straight week, while Dale Earnhardt chopped deeply into Jeff Gordon’s Winston Cup points lead in Sunday’s UAWGM Quality 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Martin, who dominated a week earlier at North Wilkesboro Speedway, this time led only one lap until he chased down leader Terry Labonte and passed him with four laps to go on the 1-mile oval.

Earnhardt, trying to stay in contention for his third straight series title, came into the race trailing the 24-year-old Gordon by 302 points, but cut that margin to 205 with only three races remaining by passing Labonte on the last lap to take second place after starting last.

Gordon was running second before breaking something in the rear end of his car trying to leave pit lane during a routine pit stop. He finished 30th.