The Associated Press

CONCORD, N.C. - His term as Winston Cup champion has been uncharacteristically calm and quiet, and the trips to Victory Lane for Tony Stewart have been few.

Even Stewart admits his reign at the top of NASCAR has been a bust. But he's doing his best to close out the run with a bang.

Stewart scored only his second victory of the season Saturday night, chasing down Ryan Newman over the final stretch to win at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

His appearance in Victory Lane was the 17th of his career, but first since June in a season marked by engine failures, poor runs and an up-and-down struggle in adapting to a change in car makes.

"Its been harder to accept the disappointments this year," Stewart said. "But knowing that we won the championship last year, and knowing that there were so many changes in our program ... you kind of just have to bite your tongue and go on."

Silence has never been Stewart's strong suit, especially after a disappointing run.

Even harder for him to swallow is when the No. 20 Chevrolet was capable of winning, only to come up short because of a bad set of tires or the inability to stretch his fuel as long as others. Newman has mastered the art in the majority of his series-best eight wins this year.

But in a sign of maturity for one of NASCAR's notorious boys - remember, Stewart punched a photographer last season to add to his long list of off-track dramatics - Stewart has been the one keeping the peace within his Joe Gibbs Racing team.

When Gibbs and car owner Greg Zipadelli have been livid over mechanical failures, Stewart has been the surprising voice of reason.

"The biggest variable is just trying to find the positives in all the negatives," he said. "Joe and Zippy were trying to keep me calm last year, but I've been the guy trying to keep everyone calm this year. I've tried to find the positives in all the negatives that have happened."

Now Stewart, who has not been a contender to repeat his title all season, sits seventh in the points with five races to go. The only thing his team can do over the final stretch is try to close out the year on a high note and look toward 2004.

Winston Cup notes

• The No. 3 Chevrolet was back on the track for the first time since Dale Earnhardt's 2001 death when Richard Childress drove a replica of it during pre-race parade laps. Childress, the car owner for six of Earnhardt's seven Winston Cup titles, wiped away tears as he waited for the command to start his engine. He gave a thumbs-up sign before beginning the laps, which were part of NASCAR's "Victory Lap" tribute to longtime series sponsor R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

• Childress said he's close to picking a driver to replace Steve Park in the No. 30 Chevrolet. Ward Burton was on Childress' list, but instead signed with Haas CNC Racing for the No. 0 Pontiac.

• PPI Motorsports has extended its contracts with driver Ricky Craven and primary sponsor Tide through the 2006 season.

Points standings

1. Matt Kenseth	4,424
2. Kevin Harvick	4,157
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.	4,100
4. Ryan Newman	4,093
5. Jimmie Johnson	4,072
6. Jeff Gordon	4,017
7. Tony Stewart	3,801
8. Bobby Labonte	3,800

Note: There are five races left