Gordon Triumphs

Jeff Gordon added his name to a short list of those who have the humbled “The Lady in Black, ” as Darlington (S.C.) is called. Gordon became only the second driver to win three consecutive times with a successful defense of his Southern 500 title. Spokane’s Chad Little finished 20th.

Michael Andretti thrust himself into the Indy-car championship race with a dominating victory in the Vancouver Molson Indy. It was the second straight win and series-leading fifth of the season for Andretti, who vaulted past fellow second-generation star Al Unser Jr. into second place in the PPG Indy Car World Series. He trails leader Jimmy Vasser by 15 points.

At Dallas, Ron Fellows took advantage of Tom Kendall and Dorsey Schroeder’s hard luck for an 11.509-second Trans-Am victory over Kendall on the Reunion Arena street circuit.

John Force earned $100,000 by beating Cruz Pedregon in the final of the Big Bud Shootout, a special event for Funny Cars during the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Clermont.