Long Pond, Pa. — Denny Hamlin had few bigger fans than his grandmother. She wore her No. 11 socks, held her No. 11 stuffed bear and watched every race on TV — even as she sat and squinted only inches away from the 30-inch screen.

When Thelma Clark died last week at 91, there was a part of Hamlin that didn’t want to be at the track.

With a heavy heart, Hamlin came to Pocono Raceway and snapped a 50-race winless skid. He took the checkered flag at the Pennsylvania 500 on Monday and dedicated this victory to his grandmother.

“She understands the competition of the sport, and she understands how much she means to me,” Hamlin said. “Like today, she’s pretty proud.”

Hamlin held off Juan Pablo Montoya over the final riveting laps, then choked up with grief in Victory Lane.

Hamlin won for the third time in eight career starts at the triangle track that has become his personal playground. He has had three other top 10s there in the No. 11 Toyota.

He was in tears following the emotional race, the victory coming three days after his grandmother’s death. There was a catch to his voice as he spoke, and he wiped his face with a towel before walking away for a subdued celebration.

“We definitely had some angels with us today,” Hamlin said.

This was Hamlin’s first victory since Martinsville Speedway in March 2008. He predicted victory and backed it up to strengthen his bid for a spot in the Chase.

Hamlin, who swept Pocono as a rookie in 2006, is fifth in points and the only JGR driver in the top 12.

“I told him earlier, we’re going to lobby for a few extra races at Pocono,” JGR president J.D. Gibbs said.

The race had been delayed a day because of rain. Clint Bowyer was third. Sam Hornish Jr. was fourth for his best finish in a Cup car, and Kasey Kahne was fifth.

Auto racing

Massa arrives home

Sao Paulo — Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, recovering from a life-threatening crash sustained nine days earlier in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, arrived home in Brazil on Monday.

Massa waved to photographers just before being admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital in South America’s biggest city, where he is expected to stay for at least two days to undergo further exams.

“Thanks,” he said briefly. “I can’t talk, I still have to recover.”

NBA

Wolves act on Hollins

Minneapolis — The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed restricted free-agent center Ryan Hollins to an offer sheet and seem likely to get him.

The Dallas Mavericks have seven days to match the offer, but they don’t have much need for a third- or fourth-string center. The Mavs signed Drew Gooden last week and have Erick Dampier as well.

Golf

Begay taking week off

Reno, Nev. — Notah Begay III is sitting out this week’s Legends Reno-Tahoe Open as he awaits the birth of his second child. Begay says his wife is a week past due, and he will remain at home with her until the baby arrives.

Baseball

Volquez out for season

Cincinnati — Reds right-hander Edinson Volquez is expected to miss a year after having reconstructive surgery on his right elbow.

Volquez had surgery Monday to repair a torn ligament and other damage in his pitching elbow.

Webb shut down for season

New York — Arizona Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb is done for the season after having shoulder surgery on Monday.

NFL

Burress indicted

New York — Former New York Giants star Plaxico Burress was indicted by a grand jury on weapons charges for shooting himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub and faces a minimum prison sentence of 31/2 years if convicted, prosecutors announced Monday.

The indictment charged the 31-year-old Burress with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment.

Pierce avoids indictment

Albany, N.Y. — Antonio Pierce’s attorney said Monday that he believes the New York Giants linebacker would have been indicted for his role in the Plaxico Burress shooting incident had Pierce not testified before a Manhattan grand jury investigating the matter.

Prosecutors announced on Monday that the grand jury opted not to indict Pierce on charges of carrying Burress’ unlicensed firearm in the aftermath of the shooting.

Vick ‘celebration’ delayed

Newport News, Va. — Michael Vick’s hometown celebration was postponed Monday because of a conflict, an organizer said.

The “Michael Vick Community Celebration” scheduled for Saturday will be held later because the job-hunting former NFL quarterback has an event that day in Atlanta with the Humane Society of the United States, organizer Andrew Shannon said.

Maclin, Eagles agree

Philadelphia — Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms on a five-year contract late Monday night, ending the first-round pick’s holdout.

Financial terms of the contract weren’t released.

The Eagles traded up two spots to select Maclin with the 19th pick in the NFL Draft. Maclin caught 102 passes for 1,260 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore at Missouri last season.

Lynch suspension stands

New York — Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch’s three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy will stand.

The league announced that Lynch’s appeal was denied in a statement released Monday afternoon.

Reid mum on Bradley

Bethlehem, Pa. — Upset by press reports that starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley could miss the season due to a knee injury, Eagles coach Andy Reid said Monday he’s not talking about it.

The Eagles confirmed Sunday night that Bradley suffered a knee injury in practice. On Monday, reports surfaced that the third-year pro has a torn ACL and is likely lost for the season.

College football

UF’s Meyer gets raise

Gainesville, Fla. — Florida coach Urban Meyer has two national championships in the last three years and the same number of raises.

Meyer signed a six-year contract Monday worth $4 million annually, up from $3.25 million, after leading the Gators to the national title in January. The new deal makes Meyer the highest-paid coach in the Southeastern Conference.

WAC reprimands McMackin

Honolulu — The Western Athletic Conference is reprimanding Hawaii coach Greg McMackin for his derogatory comment while describing Notre Dame’s chant before last year’s Hawaii Bowl.