Nap help - almost 3 yr old

Makena

He is doing every single thing in his power not to fall asleep at nap time now!  & it's making me crazy!  

I put him down for a nap, in his dark & quiet room.  He has one book, and one stuffed animal.  He will fart around for over an hour fighting sleep.  I watch him on the monitor...he'll lay in bed and I can see his eyes get so heavy, but then he shoots up out of bed and starts rolling around on the floor, walking back and forth in his room, playing with the curtains...anything to keep from falling asleep.  

This just started about 2 weeks ago. 

I know he's tired..if we are in the car on our way home from somewhere anytime after 11:15am he will fall asleep.   & if I go into his room after he's been fighting sleep and sit next to his bed with my hand gently on is back, urging him to stay still & calm, he falls asleep within 30 seconds.  I don't want to make that a habit, but I don't know what else to do!  

Help!! 

SLO2005

hmmm.... white noise machine? My 3 year old lives for naps and naps for 3+ hours so I am not much help.