Stewart spoils upset bid
Sports car ace Ron Fellows nearly pulled off what arguably would have been the biggest upset in NASCAR history, finishing second after starting last yesterday at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.
He was trying to become the first so-called "ringer" to beat the regulars since Mark Donohue won in 1973 on the road course at Riverside, Calif.
A class winner of the world's most prestigious endurance races -- the 24-hour events at Le Mans and Daytona -- Fellows was driving for Dale Earnhardt Inc.
"I don't have any complaints, just a little disappointment," Fellows said after he was beaten by Tony Stewart by 1.547 seconds as Stewart overcame an upset stomach and cramps in his legs to win his second Sirius at The Glen.
The 2002 series and Watkins Glen champion also got his second win of the season and the 19th of his career. He complained of feeling ill early in the race but decided to continue.
Formula One -- Michael Schumacher might soon run out of records to set. He added to his collection by winning the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest, becoming the first Formula One driver to win 12 times in a season. Schumacher has failed to win only once in the most lopsided season in the sport's history.
"It's just keeps going, and I'm going to enjoy it as long as it does," Schumacher said. "One day it will finish."
Starting from the pole position with teammate Rubens Barrichello beside him, Schumacher took the lead on the first turn and never trailed.
IRL -- Adrian Fernandez posted the first win of his Indy Racing League IndyCar Series career, holding off Buddy Rice in the Belterra Casino Indy 300 at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta. Fernandez's victory comes in his first year on the IRL circuit after winning eight times in Champ Car competition. The 41-year-old driver from Mexico City, who owns his own racing team, had a previous best finish of fifth in the IndyCar Series, at Texas Motor Speedway June 12.
Champ Car -- Bumped to 13th place coming out of the race's first turn, Sebastien Bourdais weaved his way through the field and passed Paul Tracy with 10 laps left to win the Grand Prix of Denver. Bourdais earned the pole after becoming the first driver in race history to break the 1-minute barrier during qualifying, only to have his advantage taken away in the opening seconds when he was bumped by Newman-Haas teammate Bruno Junqueira.
The Frenchman finished the 90-lap race in 1 hour 40 minutes 25.232 seconds (89.103 m.p.h.), increasing his Champ Car points lead to 56 over Junqueira.
