LONG POND, Pa. -- Denny Hamlin overcame a blown tire early and solidified his spot as NASCAR's top rookie, surging late to win his first career Nextel Cup race Sunday at Pocono Raceway.

Hamlin held off the challengers -- including teammate Tony Stewart -- on the final five tenuous laps of the Pocono 500 after the caution came out late following Jeff Gordon's scary accident.

Gordon's brakes failed, sending his car hard into the wall with 10 laps left and destroying his No. 24 Chevrolet.

Gordon was never able to turn, cutting through the grass and mud, leaving parts of his car like brake pads strewn across the track. After several tense moments, he climbed out -- but did not finish the race and was knocked out of the top 10 in the point standings.

The race was red-flagged and delayed for 13 minutes as the foam SAFER barrier blocks were put back together. The hood of Gordon's car flew back as it was driven off the track.

Gordon was checked and released at the infield medical center and said he was fine other than a minor headache.  More