Mark Martin wins Chicagoland auto race

JOLIET, Ill., July 12 (UPI) -- Mark Martin beat Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon to the checkered flag to win Saturday's Sprint Cup LifeLock 400.com at Joliet, Ill.

Martin captured a stirring two-lap shootout after establishing a Chicagoland Speedway record by leading the race for 195 laps. He briefly gave up the top spot to Jimmie Johnson after a late-race restart, but Denny Hamlin pushed Johnson out of position with Brian Vickers and Hamlin getting together.

Martin and Gordon then seized the momentum and Martin later recorded his Sprint Cup Series-leading fourth win this season.

"That was fun," Martin said after giving team owner Rick Hendrick a 60th birthday present a day early. "That's what life is all about. We could have parked this car after practice, it was that good."

Kasey Kahne finished third, followed by points leader Tony Stewart and Hamlin.

In the updated standings, Tony Stewart leads Gordon by 175 points. Johnson (-212) is third.