Jones captures win in playoff opener

Erik Jones grabbed the lead when Kyle Busch’s engine blew up, then pulled away from Denny Hamlin after a final restart 20 laps from the end to win the opening NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

Hamlin, seeded sixth in the playoffs, closed in on Jones’ back bumper on the final lap but couldn’t make the winning pass. Jones went on to his second career win at Darlington and third NASCAR victory.

It was also the 200th win by the iconic No. 43 car, with most tied to Hall of Famer Richard Petty.

Jones became the first nonplayoff driver to win the opener in NASCAR’s 10-race run to a title.

Scott McLaughlin led a Team Penske rout at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway by scoring his third victory of the season in a 1-2 finish that moved Will Power one race closer to the IndyCar championship . ... Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen made quick work of a safety car restart to win the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Netherlands, in front of 100,000 adoring fans and make it four straight victories for the first time in his F1 career.