Stewart gobbles up field on Turkey Night in Calif.

Friday, Nov. 29, 2002 | 10:32 a.m.

Newly crowned NASCAR Winston Cup champion Tony Stewart earned his third career "Turkey Night" victory by winning the 40-lap USAC Western Sprint Car main event Thursday at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway.

Stewart was the second-fastest qualifier in the Sprint Car portion of the 62nd annual Lucas Oil Turkey Night Grand Prix program. He assumed the lead from veteran open-wheel driver Jason Leffler on the third lap of the main event and stayed in front the remainder of the race.

Eric Butze took second, Scot Hansen was third, pole-sitter Rick Hendrix was fourth and Kasey Kahne rounded out the top five.

Stewart also qualified fourth in the Midget Car portion of Thursday's program but finished a distant 27th in the 100-lap feature.

Michael Lewis took over the race lead on lap 18 and led the final 83 laps en route to posting the victory at the paved track.

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