Red Bull’s Vettel wins European Grand Prix

June 28, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

VALENCIA, Spain

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel won the European Grand Prix on Sunday, dominating from the pole in a race that saw teammate Mark Webber walk away from a spectacular crash.

Vettel won his second grand prix of the season, completing 57 laps of the Valencia street circuit ahead of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

“It’s good to get a lot of points, it’s good for the championship and I’m very pleased with today. The guys can be extremely proud,” Vettel said.

Webber emerged unhurt after a collision with Heikki Kovalainen’s Lotus flipped his car early in the race.

Jackson: Karl’s illness to influence return

WHITEFISH, Mont.

Seeing Denver Nuggets coach George Karl sidelined last season with cancer will influence Phil Jackson’s upcoming decision on whether to return as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, the legendary coach said at a meeting of Western governors on Sunday.

Jackson told reporters after his speech to the Western Governors’ Association that he’s waiting to hear from doctors on whether he’s healthy enough to make it through another 82-game regular season.

The 64-year-old said he wouldn’t want to leave his squad without a coach in the middle of the season, as Karl was forced to do earlier this year while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for throat and neck cancer.

Jackson has two replaced hips, a sore knee requiring a brace under his suit during the season and a previous heart problem.

US, Japan keep winning in softball

CARACAS, Venezuela

Cat Osterman struck out 10 in a complete game and Alissa Haber drove in four runs as the Untied States defeated Australia 9-2 on Sunday to remain unbeaten at the world softball championship.

“I was seeing the ball really well so I was very relaxed at the plate,” Haber said. “I thought I would be more nervous playing such a great team like Australia, but I really wasn’t. I think it has to do with the amount of talent on our team.”

The United States has won 15 of its 20 games against Australia and leads 5-0 in world championship games. The U.S. has won this tournament six straight times.

Olympic champion Japan also remained unbeaten with a 2-1 win against Canada.

Anderson sweeps Pro Stock weekend

NORWALK

Greg Anderson raced to his first Pro Stock victory of the season Sunday at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.

The three-time champion pocketed more than $125,000 for the weekend by sweeping eliminations Sunday and Saturday’s K&N Horsepower Challenge all-star event, which includes a $25,000 bonus.

Anderson outran Allen Johnson in the final round for his 61st career victory.

Anderson’s Pontiac GXP posted a winning performance of 6.722 seconds at a top speed of 204.54 mph to hold off Johnson’s Dodge Avenger, which slowed at mid-track and finished in 6.982 at 159.38.

Cape Blanco wins Irish Derby at The Curragh

DUBLIN, Ireland

Cape Blanco has won the Irish Derby by a half length, giving trainer Aidan O’Brien his fifth straight victory in the race at The Curragh.

Cape Blanco was ridden by Johnny Murtagh on Sunday and sent off at 7-2 odds in the 11-horse field.

Cape Blanco stablemates Midas Touch and Jan Vermeer were second and third in the 11/2-mile race.

Roberts takes Dick’s Sporting Goods Open

ENDICOTT, N.Y.

Loren Roberts figured he’d be lucky to force a playoff in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open after making bogey at No. 17.

The leaderboard said there was a three-way tie at 14 under. “That kind of pricked my ears up a little bit,” he said.

Vindicator staff/wire reports