Hamilton OK after crash

Raikkonen takes Formula One pole

Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton appeared to escape serious injury when he crashed into a wall during qualifying Saturday for the European Grand Prix in which Kimi Raikkonen took the pole.

After spending about two hours under observation and undergoing a scan in a military hospital in nearby Koblenz, Hamilton returned to the circuit and his McLaren team's motor home, hoping to race today.

"It was a bit unfortunate, but I am feeling fine," Hamilton said. "I'm very fortunate, very lucky that I haven't got any bruises -- although I'm sure tomorrow I'll wake up with some.

"But the most important thing is I am OK."

McLaren boss Ron Dennis said Hamilton hadn't broken anything and wanted to race, but that it was up to the doctors to clear him. No decision will be made until a final checkup today before the 60-lap race. If Hamilton races today, he will start from 10th position on the grid.

The Englishman hit the wall hard after he slid across the gravel next to the track when the right-front wheel of his McLaren was damaged.

PATRICK EARNS FIRST-ROW SPOT: Helio Castroneves set an IndyCar Series record by winning his 22nd career pole -- and still was overshadowed by Danica Patrick.

Patrick's 121.098 mph was good enough to capture the other spot on the front row at the Honda Indy 200 during qualifying, putting her in ideal position to become the first woman to win an IndyCar event.

"I'm starting on the front row, which is my best starting position of the year for a while -- actually, for a long time," she said.

MATOS WINS AGAIN: Brazilian driver Raphael Matos took another step toward winning the Champ Car Atlantic series title, winning for the fifth time this season in the first race of a weekend doubleheader at the Grand Prix of Edmonton.

Matos extended his points lead to 33 over French rookie Franck Perera with three races remaining. Matos will start today's race from the pole.

NHRA QUALIFYING SHORTENED: J.R. Todd finished a run in 4.577 seconds at 318.39 mph to earn the top spot in Top Fuel qualifying for the Schuck's Auto Suppy Nationals at Pacifice Raceways.

Robert Hight broke in a brand-new Mustang with a time of 4.800 at 300.53 mph for his sixth pole of the year in Funny Car. Also, Dave Connolly took another step toward securing a berth in the Countdown to the Championship field by placing his Chevy on top with 6.664 seconds at 206.42 mph in Pro Stock.

STONER TAKES POLE: Casey Stoner set a new lap record Saturday and will start from the pole for today's Red Bull United States Grand Prix.

RECORD SET: Japanese motor sports legend Nobuhiro Tajima set a record in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Saturday, racing to the top of the 14,110-foot mountain in 10 minutes, 1.408 seconds.

Tajima, the overwhelming crowd favorite, was mobbed immediately upon exiting his 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara after completing the 12.42-mile, 156-turn course.