AVONDALE, Ariz. — Mark Martin continued to defy his age, with a victory Saturday night at Phoenix International Raceway that made him the third-oldest winner in NASCAR history.
Martin, who has waffled on retirement several times in the last four years, started from the pole and led 157 of 312 laps of the Subway Fresh Fit 500. The 50-year-old was out front when teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s accident brought out a caution with 11 laps to go, erasing a four-second lead over Tony Stewart.
Crew chief Alan Gustafson debated with Martin on strategy before the Hendrick Motorsports team called Martin in. Martin won a close race with Kyle Busch off pit road, then Busch was flagged for speeding.
Martin settled into second place behind Ryan Newman, who didn’t pit. Martin shot past Newman on the restart with six laps to go, then cruised to his first win since Kansas at 2005. It snapped a 97-race winless streak.
Stewart was second, followed by Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle.
“There’s no shame in losing to a guy like Mark Martin,” Stewart said. “I am really happy for Mark. Nobody works harder than Mark.”
Power claims IRL pole
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Will Power didn’t slow down a bit after being replaced in one Team Penske car when Helio Castroneves returned after being acquitted of five of six tax-evasion charges, winning the pole for today’s Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The Australian jumped into another Penske car and outdueled former IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti for the top qualifying spot.
Massey makes a move
COMMERCE, Ga. — NHRA rookie Spencer Massey took his first No. 1 spot in top fuel qualifying at the Summit Racing Southern Nationals.
The other No. 1 qualifiers for today’s finals were Ashley Force Hood (funny car), Greg Anderson (pro stock) and Andrew Hines (pro stock motorcycle).
Vettel first in F1 qualifying
SHANGHAI — Sebastian Vettel qualified first for the Chinese Grand Prix, delivering the first pole position for the Red Bull team. Fernando Alonso will start second.
Today’s races
INDY RACING LEAGUE
Long Beach Grand Prix
Site: Long Beach, Calif.
TV: VS, 1:30 p.m.
Race distance: 167.3 miles, 85 laps
FORMULA ONE
Chinese Grand Prix
Site: Shanghai
Race distance: 189.568 miles, 56 laps
NHRA
Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals
Site: Commerce, Ga.
TV: ESPN2, 5 p.m. (taped)
