JOLIET, Ill. (AP) - Tony Stewart has snapped a 32-race losing streak by winning the opening race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.
It is Stewart's first win since California last October and pushes the two-time champion into contention for another title after a mediocre season by his standards.
Most of the field tried to stretch its gas to the finish Monday, but as Stewart closed in on the checkered flag, tanks began to run dry. Among those who ran out of gas were five-time defending series champion Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch, who started the day as the points leader.
Kevin Harvick finished second and Dale Earnhardt Jr. capitalized on all the empty gas tanks to finish third. Harvick is the unofficial points leader with nine races left.
Matt Kenseth crossed the finish line in eighth, but was penalized by NASCAR for "receiving assistance" when he was pushed by another car after running out of fuel. He was dropped to the 21st position, which was the first car off the lead lap.
Rain washed out the race Sunday, making it the first Chase event to run a day later.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
