Two-time World Rally champion Carlos Sainz has stretched his overall lead in the Dakar Rally with a second-place finish behind Stephane Peterhansel in Sunday’s eighth stage from Antofagasta to Copiapo in the Atacama desert. Sainz of Spain leads Volkswagen teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar by 14 minutes, 35 seconds in the car category’s overall standings. American Mark Miller is third, 22:28 off the pace. Robby Gordon finished 10th in the eighth stage, 36 minutes and 59 seconds behind Peterhansel. After Sunday’s stage, Gordon remained 10th overall, more than five hours behind Sainz. Monday’s ninth stage is from Copiapo to La Serena. The rally ends Saturday in Buenos Aires and Sainz and Despres are starting to look like the eventual champions.(NASCAR.com/AP), for more info, past news, TV and internet coverage info, see my #7 Team News and Links page.(1-11-2010)
