LOS ANGELES - American Tony Stewart won his first stock car race Sunday since he struck and killed a fellow competitor on a dirt track circuit almost two years ago.
Tony Stewart celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California
Stewart snapped an 84-race winless drought when he passed Denny Hamlin on the final turn to win the Toyota/SaveMart 350 race at Sonoma Raceway in California.
Stewart, one of the most popular drivers in America's NASCAR stock car circuit, hit and dragged 20-year-old Kevin Ward during a lower level dirt track race in August 2014.
Ward died from massive "blunt trauma" after being hit by the back end of Stewart's car.
Stewart first bumped Ward's car and knocked it out of the race. On his next lap Stewart's vehicle struck Ward, who had climbed out of his car and was walking down the track pointing his finger in the direction of Stewart.
As Stewart's car passed Ward it appeared to fishtail, hitting him and dragging him for several meters.
Police investigated the crash, but a US grand jury eventually decided not to lay charges against Stewart.
Ward's family have launched a wrongful death suit, claiming Stewart was reckless during Empire Super Sprints race.
They claim Stewart gunned his engine, causing his car to slide and hit their son.