Benson breaks Nascar duck

Benson and his supporters celebrate victory

Final placings

Johnny Benson won his first Nascar Winston Cup race at Rockingham in North Carolina on Sunday.

Benson held off the pressing challenge of Mark Martin for the last 12 laps to secure his first victory in 226 attempts.

The Valvoline Pontiac driver had his fuel strategy planned to perfection, running out of gas on the warm-down lap.

Benson became the 18th different winner of the 2002 season and the fifth first-time winner.

His maiden victory is just reward after having to come back from two separate rib injuries this year that sidelined him for six races.

Points leader Tony Stewart was plagued by handling problems and finished down in 14th.

Martin had trailed Stewart by 146 points coming into the race.

That lead was cut down to 87 although Martin's car did not pass the post-race inspection - he will find out on Monday if he will be penalised.

Results from Sunday's Nascar race at Rockingham

1 Johnny Benson (Pontiac Valvoline)
2 Mark Martin (Ford Pfizer/Viagra)
3 Kurt Busch (Ford Rubbermaid)
4 Jeff Burton (Ford CITGO Racing)
5 Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet DuPont)
6 Mike Skinner (Chevrolet Kodak Film)
7 Bobby Labonte (Pontiac Interstate Batteries)
8 Matt Kenseth (Ford DeWalt Power Tools)
9 Ricky Craven (Ford Tide)
10 Jeff Green (Chevrolet America Online)