Labonte Sets Record In Win

Terry Labonte drove into the record books with a performance befitting NASCAR’s Iron Man, outdueling teammate Jeff Gordon to cap a wild finish and win the First Union 400 in North Wilkesboro, N.C.

Career victory No. 17 came on the day Labonte tied Richard Petty’s all-time Winston Cup record by starting his 513th consecutive race. Labonte, who began his streak in January 1979, can break the record simply by starting next week’s event in Martinsville, Va.

Labonte, who led six times for 167 laps, appeared headed for a second-place finish behind Rusty Wallace. But Wallace collided with the lapped car of John Andretti while pulling away from the field on lap 374 of the 400-lap event.

In Long Beach, Calif., a puff of black smoke signaled the end of Gil de Ferran’s domination with four laps to go and boosted Jimmy Vasser to victory in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Vasser gained his second straight win and third in four starts this season, driving across the finish line 3.45 seconds ahead of Parker Johnstone, who had never finished better than 11th in 15 previous starts.

Blaine Johnson took the Top Fuel category, John Force collected the Funny Car title and Warren Johnson took the Pro Stock win at the NHRA Winston Select Invitational at Rockingham Dragway in Rockingham, N.C.

Rick Schultz of Spokane finished second in the NASCAR REB-CO Northwest Tour Valvoline 125 late model stock car race in Portland on Saturday night. He earned $2,350.