Mayfield toughs it out at Pocono.

Not many people are brave (or stupid) enough to mess with Dale Earnhardt on the final lap of a Winston Cup event. Earnhardt is THE toughest driver in Winston Cup racing and has earned the respect and admiration of all his racing peers.

When the #3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet led into the final lap of the 200 lap event, few betted against him taking the win even though Jeremy Mayfield was tucked up closely behind him.

As the pair entered the final turn, Mayfield pushed his nose below Earnhardt and forced the 'Black Attack' onto the marbles. Mayfield kept his line while Earnhardt was bundled back to fourth by the closely following Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd.

Mayfield went on to take his second win of the NASCAR season and gain valuable ground in the championship.

Despite being punted down to fourth, Earnhardt closed on championship leader Bobby Labonte who could only finish 13th.

Behind the Robert Yates pair and Earnhardt, Mark Martin rounded out the top five with his best finish for some two months while Tony Stewart, winner of the last two races finished sixth.

Jeff Burton completed a good day for Roush Racing by finishing seventh ahead of Jeff Gordon, Mike Skinner and pole-sitter Rusty Wallace who took the honour of leading the most laps.

The race was a disaster for Ward Burton however, the Bill Davis driver started the day third in the championship 102 points behind Labonte but the elder of the Burton brothers could only manage a 27th place finish and drops to fourth in the standings.

Full report and results to follow.

Leading positions from Pocono.

1. Jeremy Mayfield Ford 200 laps.
2. Dale Jarrett Ford 200.
3. Ricky Rudd Ford 200.
4. Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet 200.
5. Mark Martin Ford 200.
6. Tony Stewart Pontiac 200.
7. Jeff Burton Ford 200.
8. Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 200.
9. Mike Skinner Chevrolet 200.
10. Rusty Wallace Ford 200.