Indianapolis ? After years of torment, Tony Stewart has mastered his beloved hometown track.

Stewart scored his second career victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, dominating Sunday at the place that caused him a decade of heartache and once even threatened his career.

But he found peace at the Brickyard with his electric 2005 breakthrough victory, and this time made it look 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. 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 21â2-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.

“I just went down there on the restart and got real, real tight for some reason,” Stewart said. “Kevin got by us, and I knew after 15 laps I could get around him. So I was just trying to be patient, got a good run on him off of (Turn) 1 and got by him.

“That’s a hard guy to race there. He’s a clean guy. That’s one of my best friends.”

Stewart frantically pumped his fist through the window as he crossed the finish line at the only place in the world he’s ever wanted to win.

After a brief victory lap, he stopped his car on the Yard of Bricks, was embraced by his father, Nelson, and 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 – his best showing on an oval since leaving Formula One last summer.

“I don’t think anyone had anything for Tony,” Montoya said. “His car was way too fast. But second here at the Brickyard, it was awesome.”

Jeff Gordon, the series points leader and four-time Brickyard winner, was third, 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.

The victory made Stewart, the two-time series champion, the favorite for a third title. Six of the past nine Indy winners went on to win the Cup, including the last two, and Stewart himself did it in 2005.

Stewart had a frustrating start to the season, losing at least four races he should have won, and didn’t reach Victory Lane until the July 15 event in Chicago. He then took his momentum with him on an overdue vacation during NASCAR’s final off weekend of the season, then reported to Indianapolis relaxed and ready to race.