![Mark Martin won his series-best fifth race of the season and extended his points lead to 35. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)](https://thumb.spokesman.com/uO6q6eDqVn9RLDznlEJuDvMVKgE=/600x0/media.spokesman.com/graphics/2018/07/sr-loader.png)
Martin’s surprise move wins first race of Chase
50-year-old Mark Martin held off Juan Pablo Montoya on a three-lap sprint to the finish Sunday to win the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship opener at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
50-year-old Mark Martin held off Juan Pablo Montoya on a three-lap sprint to the finish Sunday to win the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship opener at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The six-time world champ recently put the finishing touches on his 60th career victory, which just happened to be his record eighth title at the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.
Great Saturday night short track racing dominated the evening at Ephrata Raceway Park.
Ageless Mark Martin, 50, held off a tremendous charge by Juan Pablo Montoya and Denny Hamlin with three laps to go to win the Sylvania 300.
Joining Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel) and Robert Hight (Funny Car) in the winner’s circle at at the 19th of 24 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series were Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).
Wrapping up the last regular season point race before the 22nd Annual Fall Classic at ASA Sanctioned Yakima Speedway were the ASA NW Late Model Tour, RJ’s Tire Factory Super Streets, Burger Ranch Sportsman and H&H Furniture Pure Stocks.
Motorsports correspondent Doug Pace keeps up with motorsports news and notes from around the region.