DARLINGTON, S.C., May 10 (UPI) -- Mark Martin won Saturday's crash-filled Southern 500 Sprint Cup auto race at the Darlington (S.C.) Speedway.
The 50-year-old Martin, driving the the No. 5 Chevrolet, won for the second time this season after leading the final 46 laps. He gambled on not making a pit stop during the race's 15th caution flag and beat Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson to the checkered flag.
It marks the first time since 1999 that Martin has won multiple Sprint Cup races in the same season. He is the third-oldest winner in NASCAR's top circuit.
"It feels great," Martin said. "I want to thank the fans. We worked pretty hard to save some gas, so I don't know how close it was. Once we got out front, it was just easy. The car was awesome."
Johnson finished second, despite starting from the rear.
Stewart-Haas Racing teammates Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman finished third and fourth, respectively, while points' leader Jeff Gordon finished fifth.
