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Sunday Roundup: Hamlin takes New Hampshire, Snedeker captures FedEx Cup and more
by Associated Press
Sep 23, 2012 | 1989 views | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend | print
With his victory at New Hampshire on Sunday, Denny Hamlin improved to third in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, seven points behind leader Jimmy Johnson. Photo by Geoff Burke | Getty Images
With his victory at New Hampshire on Sunday, Denny Hamlin improved to third in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, seven points behind leader Jimmy Johnson. Photo by Geoff Burke | Getty Images
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LOUDON, N.H. — Denny Hamlin won the NASCAR race at New Hampshire on Sunday, getting the mistake-free trip he needed to win for the series-leading fifth time this year.

Jimmie Johnson finished second and took the lead in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Jeff Gordon was third.

Hamlin's crew avoided the mistakes that dogged them during a tire change here in July and in Chicago last week, when he ran out of gas. On Friday, Hamlin had another setback when his crew had the wrong pressure in his tires and he qualified 32nd.

Quickly moving up in the field, Hamlin took the lead for the first time on the 94th lap and led for 193 laps in all, getting some help when teammate Kyle Busch slowed down to help suck some debris off the front of Hamlin's car.

Hamlin led for 150 laps here in July before a miscommunication with crew chief Darian Grubb over whether to change two tires or four left him mired in traffic. He drove his way back into the front of the field before finishing second to Kasey Kahne.

Hamlin's four regular-season victories put in him front of the points race when the field was reset. But in the Chase opener in Chicago last week, he finished 16th after his Joe Gibbs Racing crew failed to fill up his tank on the final pit stop.

Hamlin tried to brush off the disappointment, saying on Twitter, "We will win next week." And though he later backtracked and said it was an expression of confidence but not a guarantee, he backed up the tweet with a dominating weekend.

He was the fastest in practice Friday. But when he went out for qualifying his crew had the wrong pressure in his tires and he wound up 32nd.

He again was the fastest in Saturday's practice, and Sunday was more of the same.

Hamlin started 28th after penalized cars dropped to the back of the field before the green flag. He took the lead in the 94th lap and relinquished it only during pit stops.

Snedeker pulls away to win FedEx Cup

ATLANTA — Brandt Snedeker played the round of his life and claimed the biggest payoff in golf.

Snedeker, needing to win the Tour Championship on Sunday to beat out Rory McIlroy for the FedEx Cup, made three big birdies on the back nine at East Lake and pulled away to win both trophies. He hit his final tee shot into the grandstands behind the 18th green, but by then it didn't matter.

Snedeker collected $1.44 million for winning the Tour Championship, his second title of the year. And he won $10 million for capturing the FedEx Cup, which comes with a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour.

He closed with a 2-under 68 to finish at 10 under, three strokes ahead of Justin Rose.

McIlroy and Tiger Woods, both of whom could have won the FedEx Cup with a victory Sunday, faded early and were never a factor.

Braves edge Phillies, 2-1

PHILADELPHIA — Tim Hudson tossed two-hit ball over 7 1-3 innings to help the Atlanta Braves move to the brink of a playoff spot with a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.

Hudson (16-6) struck out four and allowed one unearned run to send the Braves back to Atlanta with a shot at winning an NL wild-card berth.

A year after a historic September collapse, the Braves are again close to a postseason spot. They can clinch during a six-game homestand that opens Tuesday.

The Braves were up 8½ games through Sept. 5 last year, but went 9-18 down the stretch and were overtaken by St. Louis on the final day of the season.

This season, the Braves can almost work the final week on setting their playoff rotation.

David Ross hit a solo homer for the Braves.

Oregon moves past LSU in AP Poll

NEW YORK — Oregon has slipped past LSU to No. 2 in The Associated Press Top 25 behind Alabama after the Ducks rolled to a victory and the Tigers struggled to remain unbeaten.

Oregon routed Arizona 49-0 on Saturday night in Eugene. No. 3 LSU hung on to win at Auburn 12-10.

Florida State remained No. 4 after its 49-37 victory against Clemson, and Georgia held steady at No. 5. No. 6 South Carolina gives the Southeastern Conference four of the top six teams in the nation.

Alabama got 59 of 60 first-place votes from the media panel, with LSU receiving the other.

Kansas State moved up eight spots to No. 7 after beating Oklahoma 24-19, the Wildcats' best ranking since September 2006.

The Sooners dropped from sixth to 16th.

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