Stewart beats odds for Nascar win

Tony Stewart returned to winning ways, defying a series of obstacles to win the NASCAR Nextel race in California.

With fourth gear gone and third gear in a precarious state in his Chevrolet, Stewart held his car in gear with one hand and steered with the other.

But he was still able to catch and pass Ricky Rudd, after pole winner Jeff Gordon had earlier faltered with his own transmission trouble.

It was Stewart's first win since the Watkins Glen International last August.