Break goes to Marlin for a change

The Associated press

LAS VEGAS -- Sterling Marlin got the break this time, and took full advantage.

Marlin pulled away to victory Sunday in the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 after NASCAR rescinded a 15-second penalty for speeding in the pits because officials did not notify the team in time.

Marlin was the hard-luck driver of the season until the race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

He lost a shot at victory in the Daytona 500, when he collided with Jeff Gordon late in the race, then was penalized for leaving his car and trying to make a repair during a red flag.

A week later, at Rockingham, N.C., he was forced to follow Matt Kenseth across the finish line under a yellow flag after NASCAR chose not to throw a red flag, which would have allowed him at least a shot at the eventual winner.

NASCAR had been heavily criticized for not being consistent in its decisions on when to use the red flag to insure a competitive finish.

This time, Marlin was leading after 120 of 267 laps on the 1 1/2-mile oval when he slowed to make a scheduled pit stop under the green flag.

As he drove his Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge toward the pit entrance, Jerry Nadeau banged into the rear of the No. 40 and sent it skidding sideways. Marlin was able to recover and drive it into the pits, but NASCAR said he had exceeded the 45 mph pit road limit and announced he would be held for 15 seconds.

Marlin made his stop and immediately sped from the pits, retaining the lead after all the lead lap cars had made their stops.

"I said, "No, not again," Marlin said, referring to getting spun out. "Daytona was a heartbreaker. At Rockingham, Matt had the best car.

"We could be 3-0, but we could be 0-3. It's good to be here."

NASCAR said the official in Marlin's pit did not hear the penalty in time to keep the driver there. A NASCAR spokesman said it chose not to enforce the penalty on Marlin after that because bringing him back in or meting out another penalty would have been too severe for the infraction.

Marlin beat Jeremy Mayfield to the finish line by 1.163-seconds -- about 10 car-lengths. Mark Martin was third.