Hamilton’s win prevents Vettel from clinching Formula One title

AUSTIN, Texas - Lewis Hamilton wanted to make Formula One's return to the U.S. something special, for him and for racing.

The Briton did just that Sunday, using a thrilling pass of Sebastian Vettel at the end of a long straightaway to take the lead, then holding off the German for the final 14 laps to win the U.S. Grand Prix, the first Formula One race on American soil since 2007.

Hamilton won that race five years ago and made the move of the day to capture his fourth victory of the 2012 season.

"Wicked!" roared Hamilton, who pumped his fists, waved to the crowd and danced on the nose of his car after the win. "This is one of the best, if not the best Grand Prix, we've had all year."

Hamilton had driven his McLaren car to wins in Canada, Hungary and Italy this season and relished his chance to return to the U.S. Grand Prix, run on the new $400 million Circuit of the Americas.

Hamilton talked of his love affair with the U.S. all week and raced with the stars and stripes of the American flag painted on top of his helmet. After the win, he wore a black cowboy hat on the podium.

Red Bull's Vettel, who had a string of four consecutive victories end two weeks ago, started on the pole Sunday. The two-time defending world champion was a heavy favorite to win and perhaps clinch his third consecutive world title.

Vettel finished second and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was third. Vettel leads Alonso by 13 points in the championship standings heading into the final race of the season next week in Sao Paulo.

■ LVMS - Jonathon Gomez of Twin Falls, Idaho, won the Spears Southwest Tour's Sigma Engineering Solutions 154 to headline racing Saturday night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Bullring.

Other winners included Jim Mardis (Lucas Oil Modified); Jake Swanson (USAC Ignite Series Midget); Donny St. Ours (Legends); Marty Deluca (Bombers); and Cole Custer (S2 Late Model, Hoosier Tire Late Model).