The Future of Tony Stewart

[admin]

From our friends at Jayski.com

Stewart to leave JGR? UPDATE: Sources tell Sports Illustrated that #20-Tony Stewart is working on the final stages of a deal to move from Joe Gibbs Racing to Haas CNC next season. Considering the ramifications of such a move, no one's admitting anything quite yet, as you'd expect. When reached for comment, Haas CNC Racing spokesman Ron Mench claims there's been no communication between Stewart and the organization. Stewart's PR spokesman Mike Arning was noncommittal ("I've heard what you've heard," when asked about Haas CNC) but he reminded SI [Sports Illustrated] that Stewart's contract with Gibbs runs through the 2009 season. "He's there this year and he's there next year," claimed Arning. "And I know for a fact that JGR is interested in retaining Tony for '10 and beyond. They'd like him to retire at Joe Gibbs Racing. As Tony's said many times, 'Nothing's broke. Why change it?' Tony's going to have a lot of options in front of him; why wouldn't he? But I don't see [an early out happening] ... everyone is going to live up to the terms of the contract that runs through '09." However, sources are adamant that not just the talking, but deal-making is already taking place for Stewart to go elsewhere. And, while sometimes a formidable opponent, contracts can be easily bought out, as Jamie McMurray and Kurt Busch have shown us in recent years.(Sports Illustrated)(4-23-2008)

UPDATE: Tony Stewart has begun discussion with Joe Gibbs Racing officials about his future with the company, ESPN.com has learned. And that future, sources say, is questionable. Multiple sources close to the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity said Stewart told Gibbs officials that he'd like to be released from the final year of his current driving contract, which expires at the conclusion of the 2009 season. "He definitely has some options," JGR president J.D. Gibbs said. "To me it's no different than any of the the options he's had before. The reality is he's racing here through 2009. There's no ifs, ands or buts about that one. Our stance is he's racing for us through 2009." Stewart's publicist, Mike Arning, said "Tony's contract is through the 2009 season. When that is up he'll have a lot of options for 2010 and beyond. But in terms of what he's going to do, or might do, for now and in between, as far as JGR is concerned he's their driver for 2009." Sources said Stewart is intrigued by the thought of team ownership. One potential scenario mentioned was a partnership with Haas/CNC Racing, under which Stewart would own as much as a 50% stake in the race team that currently fields the #66 and #70 Chevys. Under that scenario he would drive one of those two machines. Haas GM Joe Custer said he has spoken with several people about the future status of his team, including Stewart's group. He was adamant that his team has reached no deal with Stewart, but would "by all means be interested in discussing a partnership with a driver of his caliber." Such a move would reunite Stewart with Chevrolet, which sources said was of the utmost importance to the driver, given that he's driven for General Motors for most of his career, and that GM sponsors Stewart's open wheel sprint car program. Gibbs switched to Toyotas from Chevrolets in 2008. Haas/CNC Racing currently fields cars built and powered by Hendrick Motorsports, the organization that has won four Cup championships in the past 10 years, including the past two.(ESPN.com), am sure this will be much discussed about over the weekend at Talladega, there are already many articles posted on the Article Links page about the subject.(4-24-2008)

[admin]

Would Tony Stewart consider jumping to IndyCar?

by Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press Thursday April 24, 2008, 9:10 AM


AP PhotoTony Stewart won an Indy Racing League championship in 1997 before joining NASCAR. Could he return to his open-wheel roots?
ESPN.com's Marty Smith reported Wednesday that multiple sources close to Joe Gibbs Racing are saying that Tony Stewart has told Joe Gibbs that he would like to be released from the final year of his contract, which runs through 2009.
Just a guess, but my hunch is that Stewart wants to make another run or two at the Indianapolis 500, which means a return to his open-wheel roots.
Smith wrote that Stewart is intrigued by the idea of owning his own team, and that Stewart would like to get back behind the wheel of a Chevrolet. Gibbs switched to Toyotas this season.
Come on. Seriously?
Stewart has done and said some outrageous things, but, still, he has to be smarter than that.
Drivers desiring to become team owners is so 1990s. Stewart should call up Darrell Waltrip, Bill Elliott and Ricky Rudd before he does something foolish like that. Remember how well it worked out for them?
Stewart, who will turn 37 in May, really has done everything one could do in stock car racing. He has won 32 Cup races and two championships, and he has made a ton of money. He hasn't won the Daytona 500, but when you grew up in Rushville, Ind., Indianapolis is the race you want to win the most.
Stewart has won two Brickyard 400s in the No. 20 Home Depot car, but it's not just the same as the Indy 500.
There hasn't been a better time in the past decade to jump to IndyCar, considering the two warring open wheel factions finally merged this winter. It has left some wondering if the open-wheel stars who defected to NASCAR may consider exploring their options and returning to their roots.
Stewart won the 1997 Indy Racing League championship before joining NASCAR. He has competed in the Indy 500 five times, with his most recent start coming in 2001. Stewart's best 500 finish was a fifth in 1997.
IndyCar sure would get a boost from the addition of someone such as Stewart, and Stewart needs IndyCar. It is the only series that could give him what he wants most.
Eddie Cheever once described the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a living, breathing organism.
It just might be able to whisper, too, because I'm thinking it is calling out to Stewart, trying to lure NASCAR's most polarizing figure back to its facility for the world's most prestigious race.