Power hospitalized after crash

Philippe sustained a concussion along with an open fracture to his left foot that required surgery.

The 28-year-old Power, the former road course specialist who finished fifth in this year’s Indianapolis 500, crashed into Philippe coming out of a blind corner at Infineon Raceway. He was scheduled for an MRI exam Saturday, but IndyCar officials didn’t expect any updates on his status until today.

Power was airlifted to nearby Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Philippe was taken by ambulance to the same hospital, where he was undergoing surgery on his foot.

IndyCar officials said both drivers were reported to be awake and alert and were to be hospitalized at least overnight. They each withdrew from the race, meaning no new driver will fill the seat.

Philippe lost control at the top of the hill on Turn 3A, and the front end of his car initially was clipped by E.J. Viso. Power arrived moments later and couldn’t avoid an ugly crash, T-boning Philippe’s car.

“It’s pretty serious,” said Power’s Penske teammate Ryan Briscoe, who qualified second Saturday. “We definitely need to look at the safety over here and what can be done differently with spotting or whatever to Turn 3A. It’s a dangerous corner. So we’re wishing him the best.”

Coming into this event, Power was 16th on the season points list with 209.

This is a big blow — and scare — for Power, who got his first IndyCar win July 26 at Edmonton after starting from the pole and leading 90 of 95 laps.

Dario Franchitti, who won the pole Saturday, called it a “horrible accident.”

• FORMULA ONE — At Valencia, Spain, Lewis Hamilton took the pole position for the European Grand Prix to lead a McLaren 1-2 in qualifying.

Hamilton had a best lap of 1 minute, 39.498 seconds around the Valencia street circuit to give the defending series champion his first pole of the season. Teammate Heikki Kovalainen will start today’s race from the second spot.

Brawn GP’s Rubens Barrichello will start third ahead of Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel and overall points leader Jenson Button.

• NHRA — At Mohnton, Pa., Antron Brown raced to his sixth No. 1 qualifying position of the season in a rain-delayed day at the Toyo Tires Oil Nationals.

Brown powered his dragster to a 3.854-second run at 315.71 mph to claim his 20th career No. 1 effort.

Ashley Force Hood remained the No. 1 qualifier in Funny Car with a 4.114 at 301.47 despite a blowout at the top end of the track. Force Hood was fine and kept her position.

Other qualifiers: Mike Edwards in Pro Stock, with a time of 6.640 seconds at 207.78 mph, and Hector Arana in Pro Stock Motorcycle, with a performance of 6.982 at 190.11.