Hamlin wins Pocono

Denny Hamlin overcame a blown tire early and solidified his spot as NASCAR’s top rookie, surging late to win his first career Nextel Cup race Sunday at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa.

Hamlin held off the challengers – including teammate Tony Stewart – on the final five tenuous laps of the Pocono 500 after the caution came out late following Jeff Gordon’s scary accident.

Gordon’s brakes failed, sending his car hard into the wall with 10 laps left and destroying his No. 24 Chevrolet.

Gordon was never able to turn, cutting through the grass and mud, leaving parts of his car like brake pads strewn across the track. After several tense moments, he climbed out – but did not finish the race and was knocked out of the top 10 in the points standings.

The race was red flagged and delayed for 13 minutes as the foam SAFER barrier blocks were put back together. The hood of Gordon’s car flew back as it was driven off the track.

Gordon was checked and released at the infield medical center and said he was fine other than a minor headache.

“That was one of the hardest hits I’ve ever taken,” Gordon said. “One of the worst things you can ever ask for is the brakes to go out in turn one of Pocono.”

Nothing slowed down Hamlin in his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Chevrolet – not even tire woes – winning a race in his 21st career start and jumping from 11th to ninth in the points standings. He’s the third driver to win from the pole this season.

“We’re trying to get into the Chase and this is a great way to do it,” Hamlin said.

Hamlin is trying to become the first rookie to qualify for the Chase in its three-year history.

Kurt Busch, who won here last July, was second.

Stewart, driving all 500 miles two weeks after breaking his right shoulder blade, finished third; he completed 38 laps at Dover International Speedway last week before using Ricky Rudd as a relief driver, but had no relief driver Sunday.

“It was easier in a place like this,” said Stewart, who moved up a spot to fourth in the standings.

Alonso wins British Grand Prix

Formula One defending champion Fernando Alonso won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, England, his third straight victory.

The Spaniard led all the way after starting on pole position to record his 13th career win for Renault.

Michael Schumacher of Ferrari was second and McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen took third, his fourth straight podium finish without a victory.

Alonso – who also won races in Monaco and Spain last month – leads the standings with 74 points. Schumacher is second with 51, while Raikkonen is third with 33 points after eight rounds.

Force wins Funny Car race

John Force won his record 120th Funny Car race at the Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Joliet, Ill., closing within 48 points of the championship lead.

Doug Kalitta, Kurt Johnson and Ryan Schnitz joined Force in the winner’s circle at Route 66 Raceway.

It took Force five tries to get his record win after getting No. 119 at last year’s Dallas event. He has now won an NHRA national event in 20 consecutive years, a record for the nitro classes.