Watkins Glen, N.Y. ? Robby Gordon was doing everything he could to preserve fuel, and his timing was perfect because those in pursuit of him were in the same predicament.

“I backed up 20 car-lengths for each corner,” Gordon said after stretching his fuel over the final 39 laps to complete a sweep of this year’s NASCAR road-course races with a victory Sunday at Watkins Glen International.

That was not only an effort to save gas. He wanted to be ready in case he was forced to run harder over the final few laps.

“I didn’t want to use up the brakes or the tires in case Jeff Gordon or one of those guys got to us at the end of the race,” he said. “So we had plenty in reserve.”

It was his third career victory, but this time nobody complained. It wasn’t that way two months ago at the other road course in Sonoma, Calif., when Gordon won after violating the so-called gentlemen’s agreement by passing teammate Kevin Harvick under caution.

Gordon’s only other victory, two years ago at New Hampshire International Speedway, also resulted in controversy. He took the lead near the end of the race by spinning out Jeff Gordon.

The key for Robby Gordon was pitting Sunday when Rusty Wallace went off the course on the 51st of 90 laps. He was chasing down Wallace when the two-time Watkins Glen winner left the pavement.

Jeff Gordon had the best car, but the worst luck. He started on the pole and was last after one lap because Greg Biffle spun him out on the first turn. He wound up 33rd.

Castroneves tops IRL

Robby Gordon slides out of his car after winning the Sirius at the Glen. Gordon won the race Sunday in Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Madison, Ill. — Helio Castroneves drove without any cockpit electronics to win the Emerson Indy 250 and end his 20-race winless streak. Castroneves ran the entire race with no readout on his steering wheel, meaning he had to make his own decisions when to shift and had only guesswork on fuel.

Tracy wins in Ohio

Lexington, Ohio — Paul Tracy won for the first time at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and moved back into the lead in the CART driver standings with his victory in the Champ Car Grand Prix.

Patrick Carpentier was second, and rookie Ryan Hunter-Reay, who started second, finished a career-best third.