AUTO: Controversial win for Harvick

In Montreal, Kevin Harvick held off hometown star Patrick Carpentier to win NASCAR’s inaugural Busch Series race in Canada, but disqualified driver Robby Gordon defiantly tried to claim the victory in a controversial finish that thrilled the crowd.

Gordon took the lead from Marcos Ambrose after a restart with four laps to go, but Ambrose quickly reclaimed it by bumping Gordon out of his way. Gordon went into a spin and the field raced by him as he idled on the course at the historic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Because the caution flag was waving before Ambrose spun him, Gordon believed he was the leader on the restart, or at worst, in second position. But NASCAR ruled he was in 13th, a decision he vehemently disagreed with.

He refused to move out of second place on the restart, earning an automatic disqualification. When the field went green, he quickly pushed Ambrose out of the way and roared into the lead.

But NASCAR refused to acknowledge him, waving a black flag every time Gordon passed the flagstand for the final three laps. It put the real race to the finish far behind him, between Harvick and Carpentier.

TENNIS: Roddick reaches finals

Andy Roddick outlasted Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) to reach the final of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic yesterday in Washington.

Roddick, who also won here in 2001, will unseeded American John Isner, a 6-7 (4), 7-6 (1), 7-6 (2) winner over Gael Monfils, in today’s final.

* In Carlsbad, Calif., Maria Sharapova used a big first serve to reach the finals of the Acura Classic by defeating Anna Chakvetadze 6-3, 6-2.

SOCCER: Galaxy’s Beckham doubtful

In Toronto, David Beckham remains a doubtful participant in the MLS game between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Toronto FC today.

The 32-year-old former England captain has played only 12 minutes for the Galaxy because of a left ankle injury. He was a substitute in a July 21 exhibition against Chelsea.