Tony Stewart dominates at the Brickyard By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer

Tony Stewart dominates at the Brickyard By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer
7 minutes ago



INDIANAPOLIS - After years of torment, Tony Stewart has mastered his hometown Holy Grail. Stewart scored his second career victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, dominating Sunday at the track that caused him a decade of heartache and once even threatened his career.

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But he found peace at the Brickyard with his electric 2005 breakthrough victory, and this time found a way to make it look downright easy. Stewart led a race-high 66 of the 160 laps, but was passed by 2003 winner Kevin Harvick on a restart with 20 to go.

He never panicked as he chased down Harvick, even taunting his friend over the radio. "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty," he called. "Come get you some of this."

The two-time series champion closed onto Harvick's bumper and made at least two attempts to pass, only to be rebuffed as Harvick held tight to the lead. Stewart finally powered alongside of him with 10 to go, but Harvick wouldn't relent and the two Chevrolets touched as they drag-raced around the historic 2 1/2-mile oval.

Stewart held steady, surged into the lead, then seemingly put his orange No. 20 on cruise control for the final 25 miles. With six to go, his in-car camera caught him casually drinking from a water bottle with no hands on his steering wheel as he headed down the straightaway at more than 200 miles per hour.

He frantically pumped his fist through the window as he crossed the finish line at his beloved race track. After a brief victory lap, he stopped his car on the Yard of Bricks, was embraced by his father, Nelson, his Joe Gibbs Racing crew. The team then joined him for his celebratory fence climb.

Juan Pablo Montoya, who won the 2000 Indianapolis 500 in his only appearance, chased down Harvick to finish second place — his best showing on an oval since leaving Formula One last summer.

Jeff Gordon, the series points leader and four-time Brickyard winner, was third and was followed by Kyle Busch, pole-sitter Reed Sorenson and Mark Martin.

Harvick faded all the way to seventh after Stewart's race-winning pass. Jeff Burton, Dave Blaney and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top 10.