SPORTS digest

Hamilton wins F1 title at Mexican Grand Prix

MEXICO CITY

Lewis Hamilton won his fourth career Formula One season championship on Sunday with a ninth-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix in a race won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Hamilton had to overcome first-lap chaos when his Mercedes was bumped by title rival Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari. Hamilton got a tire puncture and Vettel had wing damage. Both had to stop immediately for repairs.

That left both in a furious bid to catch up as Verstappen sped away to victory. Vettel finished fourth but had to win or finish second to push the title chase to the last two races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton’s championship makes him the most decorated British driver in F1 history, passing Sir Jackie Stewart. He is one of only five drivers in F1 history with four or more.

McMillen wins top Fuel at Toyota Nationals

LAS VEGAS

Top Fuel veteran Terry McMillen earned his first career victory Sunday at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

McMillen had a 3.870-second pass at 253.99 after Brittany Force got a red light in her Monster Energy dragster.

“This is the stuff you dream of as a small kid,” McMillen said. “To have that opportunity to go out there and get that win is truly an amazing feeling. Hats off to my crew.”

Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won their respective categories at the fifth of six playoff events during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship.

Hagan earned his fourth victory of the season and No. 26 for his career. He drove his Dodge Charger R/T to a run of 3.942 at 329.42, edging Courtney Force’s 4.020 at 320.05 in her Chevrolet Camaro.

Anderson, the Pro Stock points leader and event No. 1 qualifier, defeated KB Racing teammate Bo Butner for his 90th career win. Anderson had a pass of 6.698 at 204.70 in his Chevrolet Camaro.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, category leader Krawiec rode his Harley-Davidson to a 6.924 at 193.16, defeating Hector Arana Jr.

Next up is the final event of the season at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California, from Nov. 9-12.

YSU bowling team 18th in Bearcat Open

ST. CLAIR, ILL.

The Youngstown State bowling team finished the Brunswick Bearcat Open in 18th place after coming up short in three bracket matches on Sunday.

The Penguins began the day in 16th place after the Baker and team rounds on Friday and Saturday. YSU lost 4-2 to Lincoln Memorial, 4-3 to Valparaiso and 4-2 to Maryville. Youngstown State lost a pair of close games to LMU, falling 189-187 in game four and 191-190 in game six. The Penguins also lost two games by five pins to Maryville.

YSU cracked 200 five times on Sunday, including three times in the seven-game match against Valparaiso. The Penguins’ highest game was a 235 in game four against Maryville.

YSU will conclude its fall slate next weekend at the TRACK Kat Klash in Houston, Texas.

Wozniacki defeats Williams in WTA finals

SINGAPORE

Caroline Wozniacki won the biggest title of her career when she beat Venus Williams 6-4, 6-4 in the WTA Finals on Sunday.

The Dane completed the victory with a backhand down the line on a second match point for her 60th match victory of the season.

The 27-year-old Wozniacki’s best previous result at the WTA Finals was reaching the final in 2010.

Williams, who was hoping to win a 50th career title on Sunday, is the only player at this year’s WTA Finals who didn’t win a title during the season.

The 37-year-old Williams appeared in three finals at the five most prestigious tournaments of the season: the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and here in Singapore.

Staff and wire reports