Jarrett breaks 30-race losing streak

LONG POND, Pa. -- Dale Jarrett ended a 30-race losing streak with a little luck over the final laps Sunday to win for the third time in his career at Pocono Raceway.

Jarrett passed Robert Yates Racing teammate Ricky Rudd on the 195th of 200 laps, then won under caution after Rudd hit the wall with one lap to go. Rudd looked like the driver to beat, but had a late tire problem that made it easy for Jarrett.

"That last yellow, that's when you know that prayer works," Jarrett said. "When that caution came out, I knew we'd have a chance."

The victory in the Pocono 500 was the first for the 1999 Winston Cup champion since last July in Loudon, N.H. He also won on the 2 1/2-mile triangle in 1995 and 1997, both times in the Pennsylvania 500, Pocono's July race.

Jarrett got the 29th victory of his career when his Ford beat that of Mark Martin by 0.326 seconds.

The 45-year-old driver from Hickory, N.C., has not been effective for most of this season. His best previous finish was fourth in April in Martinsville, Va.

With the field set by points after qualifying was canceled because water from recent heavy rains was seeping through the track, Jarrett started 13th.

Polesitter Sterling Marlin wound up fourth, and his lead in the series standings remained 136 points over third-place finisher Jimmie Johnson. The rookie won a week earlier in Dover, Del.