Marlin’s Gamble Pays in Victory in Daytona

On a day of thunder at Daytona International Speedway, Sterling Marlin overcame ignition trouble and won a gamble that gave him the rain-shortened Pepsi 400 Saturday at Daytona Beach, Fla.

Rain stopped the race on the 118th of 160 laps with Marlin in the lead, and when the storm prevented a restart, he became the winner.

Marlin’s Chevrolet was clearly the fastest car, and he led for much of the early going before dropping to 16th when his ignition shorted out on the 66th lap. He switched to a backup ignition and slowly worked his way through the pack, regaining the lead for good on the 87th lap.

With Marlin’s crew anticipating the rain, he stayed on the track when many drivers pitted on the 102nd lap.

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Jack Sprague passed Mike Skinner on the 178th lap to win the Sears 200 NASCAR truck race for his second consecutive title at Milwaukee.

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Blaine Johnson led the quickest field in National Hot Rod Assn. history, covering a quarter-mile in a record 4.592 seconds at 312.06 mph to lead top fuel qualifying in the Western Auto Nationals in Topeka, Kan.

Pro Football

Quarterback Jim Harbaugh, designated as the franchise player of the Colts, agreed to a one-year deal worth more than $4 million.

The Colts, the first NFL team to open training camp, also waived receiver Flipper Anderson, who played in only two games last season after suffering a knee injury.

Boxing

Steve Collins held on to his World Boxing Organization super-middleweight title when challenger Nigel Benn twisted his ankle throwing a big punch in the fourth round and couldn’t continue at Manchester, England.

Benn tried to go on but was virtually immobilized by the injury and turned away with Collins throwing punches at his head without getting any in reply.

In an undercard fight, Italy’s Vincenzo Nardiello beat Thulane “Sugar Boy” Malinga in his first defense as World Boxing Council super-middleweight champion with a 12-round split decision.

Luisto Espinosa of the Philippines successfully defended his World Boxing Council featherweight title with a unanimous decision over No. 1 challenger Cesar Soto of Mexico in Manila.

Jurisprudence

Former NFL offensive lineman Carlton Haselrig, 30, was arrested in Johnstown, Pa., on drunk-driving charges after police spotted him wearing his helmet backward on a motorcycle.

Hockey

Dean Lombardi, San Jose’s general manager, denied a report in the San Francisco Chronicle saying the Sharks have offered a two-year, $14-million contract to Wayne Gretzky, saying only that he had talked with Gretzky’s agent but no figures were discussed. Lombardi added that the Sharks are talking with King goalie Kelly Hrudey.

Jeff Beukeboom re-signed with the New York Rangers after turning down an offer from the St. Louis Blues. He will make a reported $8.5 million over four years.

Trent Yawney, an unrestricted free-agent defenseman who spent the last five seasons with the Calgary Flames, signed a multiyear deal with the St. Louis Blues.

Miscellany

The double sculls team of Greg Walker and Greg Lewis made good on their frustration on missing the U.S. Olympic team by rallying with 100 meters to go to beat Germany’s Jens Bulow and 1994 world singles champion Marko Schwalbe and reach the Henley Royal Regatta final at England.

Striker Ivan Zamorano scored two goals for Chile, which handed Ecuador its first loss in three World Cup qualifying matches, 4-1, in Santiago, Chile.

Edward “Bud” Chandler, who led California to its first and only NCAA tennis team championship in 1925, died at 90 in Orinda, Calif.

Continentalvictory, driven by Mike Lachance, beat Kramer Boy by 2 1/2 lengths in the Yonkers Trot, first leg of trotting’s triple crown.