Gordon nets rain-shortened win

LONG POND, Pa. - In a race marred by the death of a fan hit by lightning, Jeff Gordon earned his first Sprint Cup Series victory of the season Sunday, taking advantage of an accident sparked by teammate Jimmie Johnson and going on to win when the race was called because of a downpour preceding the fatal storm.

After the Pennsylvania 400, Pocono officials said one person died and nine others were injured after a lightning strike in the parking lot behind the grandstand.

"You hate to hear something like that," Gordon said. "Certainly our thoughts are with them."

Two people were taken to hospitals in critical condition after the strike, track officials said. Track president Brandon Igdalsky said one later died at Pocono Medical Center, but he provided no further details. The victim was later identified as a 41-year-old Pennsylvania man.

One person remained hospitalized in critical condition at Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, said Bob Pleban, a track spokesman. Five other people were taken to various hospitals with minor to moderate injuries, he said.

Gordon earned his 86th career victory, winning for the first time since September 2011 to thrust himself into wild-card contetntion in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.

This win meant more than about all the others for Gordon. This was the first time his wife and both of his two young children joined him in celebration.

"That experience to me today means so much more than anything else," he said.

Johnson inadvertently gave his Hendrick Motorsports teammate the help he needed. Johnson's No. 48 had a flat tire off a restart and slammed Matt Kenseth into the wall. Kenseth slid down the track and took out Denny Hamlin and three other cars.

With an unexpected opening, Gordon zagged and zipped the No. 24 through holes like an All-Pro running back, splashing his way to victory.

"When I saw the opening to get inside, I was taking it," Gordon said.

It couldn't have come at a better time. The skies opened and cars were ordered off the track. The scheduled 400-mile race, already delayed two hours by rain, was called moments later with 98 of the 160 scheduled laps completed.

Kasey Kahne was second, followed by Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski and Tony Stewart. Kurt Busch ran well much of the day before a late wreck relegated him to 30th. Kyle Busch was 33rd.

■ NHRA - At Kent, Wash., Courtney Force raced to her first Funny Car victory, and Erica Enders topped the Pro Stock field in the Northwest Nationals for the first female double in series history.

"To have both me and Erica in the winner's circle is awesome," Force said. "We're not just out here to race the boys, we're here to beat the boys, and today just proves that."

Force, the youngest daughter of 15-time Funny Car season champion John Force and sister of the first female Funny Car winner, Ashley Force Hood, had a 4.238-second pass at 293.54 mph in the final round to beat reigning Funny Car champion Matt Hagan. He finished in 4.328 at 276.58.

Enders won for the second time this season, topping defending Pro Stock series champion Jason Line with a run of 6.614 at 209.65.

Steve Torrence won the Top Fuel title.

■ INDYCAR - At Lexington, Ohio, Scott Dixon took the lead by passing Will Power in pit row on the 57th lap, then held on to capture his fourth IndyCar title in the last six years at Mid-Ohio.

Dixon qualified fourth and patiently picked off cars until he sped past Power when both pitted just past the midpoint of the 85-lap race.

Power, who ended up second, took over the points lead from Ryan Hunter-Reay, who finished 24th. Only 28 points separate the top four in the rankings.