Renault’s Alonso prevails under lights

In Formula One’s first night race, Renault’s Fernando Alonso won the Singapore Grand Prix after starting 15th on the grid Sunday while McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton extended his championship lead.

Alonso won for the 20th time in his career, his first victory since last year’s Italian Grand Prix. Williams’ Nico Rosberg was second, his best Grand Prix finish, and Hamilton was third.

“After qualifying, our hopes were gone already,” Alonso said. “It was nearly over, but it shows that Formula One is unpredictable on Sunday.”

With 15 of 18 races completed, Hamilton has 84 points in the driver standings, followed by Massa (77) and Robert Kubica of BMW Sauber (64).

Toyota’s Timo Glock was fourth and Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel took fifth. In sixth was BMW’s Nick Heidfeld, ahead of Red Bull’s David Coulthard and Williams’ Kazuki Nakajima.

Hamilton showed little inclination in the closing laps to challenge Rosberg.

“I had no need to take any risks; both Ferraris were out of the points,” said Hamilton, who added that leading by seven points he was “quite happy.”

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Tony Schumacher increased his top-fuel points lead after many Countdown contenders fell early in the O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals at Millington, Tenn.

Tim Wilkerson and Mike Edwards joined Schumacher in the winner’s circle with three races remaining in the NHRA Powerade Series Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Wilkerson won in funny car and Edwards in pro stock.