Blown tire benefits Bowman

Alex Bowman made it six straight wins for Hendrick Motorsports, when teammate Kyle Larson’s Chevrolet blew a tire on the final lap, and he took the checkered flag Saturday at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., for his third NASCAR Cup win of the season.

Larson had won three straight Cup races and was in prime position to take this one at Pocono when he passed Bowman with three laps left in the race. Larson was maybe a mile away from becoming the first driver since former Hendrick driver Jimmie Johnson in 2007 to win four consecutive Cup races.

Instead, a blown left front tire on the last corner of the last lap knocked Larson out of contention, and Bowman stunningly made the most of his second chance.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Bowman said. “Hell yeah, I’ll take it.”

Bowman, who recently signed a two-year contract extension at Hendrick, took his turn to keep the team’s hot streak alive.

Larson said he might have run over debris to cause the tire issue. Bowman was in the right spot to take advantage and win for the third time in his last 10 races.

“I’m kind of in shock,” Bowman said. “I don’t know what to say.”

NASCAR Trucks

John Hunter Nemechek beat boss Kyle Busch down the stretch and raced to his fifth Truck Series victory this season, earning bragging rights for Kyle Busch Motorsports at Pocono.

“That’s good for the company: 1-2 again,” Busch said.

Nemechek held the checkered flag and bowed to the crowd — Busch’s traditional victory move.

He denied Busch his third victory in five races the season.

Formula One

Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen maintained his momentum over rival Lewis Hamilton by taking pole position for the Styrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, Austria.

McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez will start from Row 2.

NHRA

Steve Torrence took the No 1 spot in top fuel qualifying in the NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

The three-time defending series champion and current points leader had a 3.705-second run at 324.83 mph Friday, and also made the quickest passes in Saturday’s final two sessions.

Ron Capps took the top spot in funny car, Greg Anderson in pro stock and Steve Johnson in pro stock motorcycle.