Oldsmobile Wins Rolex 24 Hours

In Daytona Beach, Fla., an Oldsmobile Mark III driven by Wayne Taylor of South Africa and Americans Scott Sharp and Jim Pace barely held off a Ferrari 333SP in the closest Rolex 24 Hours in history.

Max Papis gave it a brave effort in the final two hours, making up a four-lap deficit and twice passing Taylor to get back on the lead lap.

However, the youngster was forced to pit for fuel and tires with about 15 minutes remaining, ending any chance of catching Taylor.

Blaine Johnson, Al Hofmann and Jim Yates won titles at the NHRA Chief Auto Parts Winternationals at Pomona Raceway in Pomona, Calif.

Johnson won in Top Fuel, Hofmann in Funny Car and Yates in Pro Stock at the first event in the 1996 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Stock car driver Mike Cooke died Saturday night hours after his Chevrolet Lumina hit a wall as he was about to start his qualifying attempt for a NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour event at Phoenix International Raceway in Phoenix.

Harold Brasington, the man who built Darlington Raceway and introduced a nation to big-time stock car racing, died at a Florence, S.C., hospital after an extended illness. He was 86.