Feb. 19, 1995

Sterling Marlin is out to show his victory in last year's Daytona 500 was no fluke. He does it in convincing fashion, leading for 105 of the 200 laps in becoming the first driver since Cale Yarborough (1983-84) to win back-to-back Daytona 500s.

Except for pit stops, Marlin never loses the lead. About the only thing that stops him is rain, which halts the race for one hour and 44 minutes after 71 laps. He holds off Dale Earnhardt's late charge and wins by .61 seconds.

"The rumor was circulating through the garage area that the '3' bunch said we couldn't do it again, that we'd find some way to mess up," Marlin says, referring to Earnhardt's car number. "So it feels real good to beat him."

The two Daytona 500 victories are Marlin's only wins in his 310-race Winston Cup career.