Loudon, N.H ? Ryan Newman stole a race Tony Stewart thought was his.

Newman, who barely squeezed into the 10-man Chase for the Championship, started quickly in NASCAR’s 10-race playoff Sunday by outdueling points leader Stewart down the stretch to win the Sylvania 300.

Stewart, who started from the pole, dominated through much of the race, leading 173 of the 300 laps at New Hampshire International Speedway. But Newman won a late battle with Stewart, passing him on lap 199 and holding the top spot by two car-lengths.

“Tony wasn’t happy with the balance of his car at the end,” said Newman, who led 66 laps. “His car was going away at the right time for me. It was going away faster than mine. But that’s the best racing I’ve seen at this track.”

Following the final pit stops by the leaders, Newman found himself just ahead of Stewart when the green flag waved with 16 lap to go after the last of 10 caution flags.

Ryan Newman celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sylvania 300. Newman won Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, N.H.

The streaking Stewart, on the way to his 13th consecutive finish of eighth or better, was relentless in trying to retake the lead, pulling up to the rear quarterpanel of Newman’s Penske Racing South Dodge time after time before finally slipping below him on the backstretch on lap 292.

But Newman, whose last win came a year ago in Dover, wouldn’t give up. He stayed with Stewart, got beneath the Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet on lap 299 and pulled ahead, staying out front to win by 0.292-seconds.

Chase contenders Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle finished third and fourth, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is out of the Chase but running his first race with Tony Eury Jr. back as his crew chief.

Newman was ecstatic after his first win in 35 races, finally breaking through for a win after season-long struggles – and doing it in the biggest race so far this season.

“That was a long time without a Cup win,” said Newman, who drove part-time in the Busch Series this season and got a big boost by winning three straight races at one point.