Jeers as Earnhardt wins Goody's 500

The finish had NASCAR officials reviewing video of the last lap before allowing the result to stand, but it is unclear whether or not they will exercise other penalty options for alleged 'rough driving'.

With less than a lap to go in the Goody's 500, Earnhardt tapped race leader Terry Labonte into a turn one spin that wrecked a half-dozen top-runners and give him a narrow win over Jimmy Spencer, Ricky Rudd, Jeff Gordon and polesitter Tony Stewart.

Almost lost in the chorus of boos and fan jeers was Mark Martin closing in on Cup points leader Dale Jarrett.

Jarrett crashed on lap 74 and was tapped again later, relegating him to a 38th place finish.

Martin advanced nearly 100 points on the second generation driver and trails him by 213 points as the series moves on to Darlington.

Everything before the final 20 laps at this .533 mile, high-banked oval was forgotten after one of the most eventful finishes the track has seen.

Earnhardt and Labonte had been trading the lead in the closing laps when brother Bobby Labonte smoked the track as his rear end gears caught fire.

Earnhardt, pitting on the back stretch, wanted no caution as he would likely lose any chance of winning if he pitted.

Then Darrell Waltrip touched Labonte's Chevy into a spin and forced the yellow with 13 laps to go.

Labonte and most of those on the lead lap pitted for fresh rubber, but Earnhardt stayed out. When the green waved, Labonte shot past the competition and caught Earnhardt with about five to go.

Labonte ducked under and started to move away with three laps remaining. Earnhardt got a run on NASCAR's 'Ironman' and as the white flag waved, he touched the leader's bumper in turn one, forcing him into a smoky spin.

Earnhardt got by while more cars spun and touched, and he took the chequered flag.

'I was just racing to get back under and rattle him,' said Earnhardt, 'I didn't try to wreck him.'

Many disagreed, especially the man whose victory seemed destined.

'He never has any intention of turning people around,' said a subdued, but angry Labonte.

'I'm so mad I could spit nails,' said Stewart.

Leading posiitons in Goody's 500