Mark Martin Wins Save Mart Supermarkets 300 at Sears Point

05/04/97

SONOMA, CA - Mark Martin, after starting from the pole, will pocket
the $30,400 UNOCAL Challenge money after winning the Save Mart
Supermarkets 300 held at Sears Point Raceway. Martin, who hasn't
visited victory lane since October of 1995, said from victory lane
"All those guys behind me were fast.  I raced every inch of the
way. If I let up they'd of passed me. .... I can't believe I won a
race."

The driver that gave Martin fits the last 8 laps was none other than
Jeff Gordon. Gordon, who could get close to Martin, just couldn't get
the extra bite it would take to get the lead.

The drivers rounding out the top 5 are Terry Labonte, Dale Jarrett and
Darrell Waltrip. This is Waltrip's best finish of '97.

The race that took 2 hours 29 minutes 26 seconds to complete and was
slowed by the caution flag 3 times. There were 4 lead changed among 3
drivers.



Mike Snow -- The Auto Channel