[bears9]

Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion 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.

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 percent stake in the race team that currently fields the Nos. 66 and 70 Chevrolets. 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."

ESPN - Sources: Stewart talks to Gibbs about split to have own team - Racing

[jks812]

Saw them talking about this on Nascar Now. Would be interesting and I think it would work out pretty good for Tony and would help the team too. Might just be what that small team needs. But Tony had made it clear from the beginning that he didn't want to drive a Toyota. And then add to that, Tony was always the #1 driver at Gibbs, until now. I think he's losing that spot. But I also think he's just looking at his future, how long does he want to drive, and being an owner will keep him in it after he's no longer driving.

[Bryan88]

Wow, that surprises me a bit, not so much on him leaving Gibbs because I sort of expected that, but buying his own team is a bit of a shock. I think that would obviously would be a great deal for Haas/CNC Racing.

[Phils20]

I just can't see him leaving Gibbs, not without Zippy. And I can't see them going to a team like that to tread water.

I think someone has some signals crossed. He would be a lot more likely to just leave and go to RCR, taking what hope I have that Labonte will end up there!

I think/hope he is smarter than to go to the 66/70 team.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Phils20

I just can't see him leaving Gibbs, not without Zippy. And I can't see them going to a team like that to tread water.


I think/hope he is smarter than to go to the 66/70 team.

Maybe Zippy will go too. Why not buy into a team thats already running instead of having to start from scratch. Plus with his, and maybe Zippy's, ability I don't think that team would be just treading water for long.

[WestCoast]

Either Tony's ego is bruised by Kyle's early success or he's been hanging around Harvick too long.
Tony as an owner/driver, I don't know, all of a sudden Robbie Gordon and his ranting & complaining would seem negligible. I could just imagine the fines.
Maybe this is just early Silly Season stuff?.

[Fireball]

Originally Posted by bears9

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 percent stake in the race team that currently fields the Nos. 66 and 70 Chevrolets. Under that scenario he would drive one of those two machines.

I agree with jks, Zippy would go with Tony to a new team. Every race series (sprints or midgets) that Tony Stewart has cars in are winners. He doesn't like second place.

Haas/CNC Racing is owned by Gene Haas. Hass has his own troubles to deal with. Gene Haas was arrested by the IRS in 2006 for filing false tax returns, witness intemidation, and conspircy. Haas initialy plead not guilty, but later plead guilty on one count. Haas made full restitution to the IRS and is currently serving a 24 month sentence in federal prision. His projected release date is October 6, 2009.

The #66 and #70 cars are Chevrolets and that fits into Tony's pocket well. He has had relationships with MoPar for his sprint motors, but I don't see him making a move to Petty Enterprises as a part owner or investor. But, you never know. That may be an opportunity for him as well.

Tony may see a this as a new venture and prepare himself for retirement from active driving to becoming a NASCAR owner, who if succesful can be very very profitable.

[bears9]

If this is true and when Stewart gets out of Gibbs, Haas better jump all over this give Stewart his part of the team. It would a ton of benefits.

It would likely close the revolving door they call the 70 car, it could get Haas a full time sponsor in the Home Depot, and even if it's not Home Depot, people will pay to have Tony Stewart drive their car.

So Haas should jump all over this.

[lilsexy08]

He wants in a Chevy again! Thats what it boils down too. By the way his ego is not bruised believe me! Tony used to race for Haas when he first started and he could turn that outfit around and make it into a winning racing team again!

[Jeffrey4396]

A couple of observations here. Maybe this rumor is too far out there that it has to be true. Why you ask? Because if a rumor was going to get started that Tony was tying to get into a Chevy everyone would say RCR not Haas. Reason why nobody saying RCR? Maybe because that ride is already filled by BLab.

Also what is one factor here that everyone is heavly overlooking? Who provides Hass/CNC their cars and equipment? BINGO!! HMS. So Tony goes to a team he can control while being provided with some of the best cars in Nascar. You don't think Rick wouldn't provide him with the best just like JG, JJ, and Jr?

Rumor makes more sense now. I'd say it is true and we will being seeing alot more of Joey Logano when he become of age. He will be in the 20 next year if this is true.

[lilsexy08]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey4396

A couple of observations here. Maybe this rumor is too far out there that it has to be true. Why you ask? Because if a rumor was going to get started that Tony was tying to get into a Chevy everyone would say RCR not Haas. Reason why nobody saying RCR? Maybe because that ride is already filled by BLab.

Also what is one factor here that everyone is heavly overlooking? Who provides Hass/CNC their cars and equipment? BINGO!! HMS. So Tony goes to a team he can control while being provided with some of the best cars in Nascar. You don't think Rick wouldn't provide him with the best just like JG, JJ, and Jr?

Rumor makes more sense now. I'd say it is true and we will being seeing alot more of Joey Logano when he become of age. He will be in the 20 next year if this is true.

I am anxiously awaiting to see Joey Logano and see what he really can do.

[Bob Tanner]

I think Tony wants more control of his own destiny.

Haas-CNC is apparently offering him the usual contract PLUS part ownership in the organization or the team he drives for. I think this is what is tripping Smoke's trigger. He already owns two WoO teams and his friends, Kevin Harvick and spouse, are successful team owners. If he were to be his own boss, he could more easily have a contract allowing him to run a more limited schedule, ala Mark Martin.

I look at it this way: Tony's plate is full; two race tracks, two more he's part owner of, two WoO teams, a full time Cup ride, a weekly radio show and God knows what else.

He's won two Championships in Cup, plus Championships in USAC Silver Crown, Sprint and Midget series'. What does he have to prove? Money? I heard the Pope hit him up for a loan last week when he was in country.

The ONLY think I think Tony has left to complete is a Indy 500 win. He says this isn't an interest of his anymore but I think he's full of B.S. I think he'd gladly trade a Cup Championship of a 500 win.

I believe that Smoke has some offers which interest him and might allow him to follow a career path similar to his idol, A.J. Foyt. He's also been a major team owner for years.

On the flip side, he's got a good gig with JGR. Putting these offers out in public this early in the season MIGHT drive Gibbs to ante up a really sweetheart deal which Tony wouldn't be able to refuse.

However, I might be way off base, also...

[WestCoast]

Stewart: No issues with Gibbs Racing

HUNTERSVILLE, North Carolina (Ticker)—Tony Stewart seems to think he has a handful of options in his near future despite being locked up for the next two years.
Stewart, 36, addressed his status in front of a horde of media Thursday, one day after word came out that the 10-year NASCAR driver may have asked to be released from his current contract with Joe Gibbs Racing.
However, the two-time Sprint Cup champion quickly denied he wants to break his deal with his current bosses.
"I have not asked to be let out of my contract," Stewart said. "There is nothing wrong with my relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing. There are no problems. Nothing is broke."
Stewart’s current deal with JGR runs through 2009, and last summer he talked about signing an extension with the team he’s driven for since joining NASCAR in 1998.

It was rumored that the Columbus, Indiana native wants to pursue negotiations with racing organizations, including ownership possibilities.
"I have received multiple offers recently after my time is up, including several that have caught my interest," Stewart said. " However, no one is putting pressure on me to break my current deal."
Negotiations between Stewart and Joe Gibbs Racing for a new deal stalled before the start of the 2008 season, prompting the temperamental driver to say in January that he was in no rush to sign on again with his current team.
Stewart did admit that he told JGR on Wednesday that other racing groups were interested in his services.
"They were in shock when I told them about other interested parties," Stewart said. "That was their reaction. I just wanted to make sure that we (Stewart’s management team) were up front with them."
A winner of 32 races on the circuit, Stewart said he would take his time to look at all the offers and said he had no timetable for a decision.
"There is still a lot of decision making to do," Stewart said. "I have a lot of homework to do and haven’t signed anything yet."
In a statement earlier Thursday, Gibbs Racing stated that it plans to hold the driver to his contract.
"There has been much speculation regarding the future of our driver, Tony Stewart," team president J.D. Gibbs said. "Tony is currently here through 2009, and from a Joe Gibbs Racing standpoint, we hope he drives for us longer than that and retires here.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

Stewart: No issues with Gibbs Racing

HUNTERSVILLE, North Carolina (Ticker)—Tony Stewart seems to think he has a handful of options in his near future despite being locked up for the next two years.
Stewart, 36, addressed his status in front of a horde of media Thursday, one day after word came out that the 10-year NASCAR driver may have asked to be released from his current contract with Joe Gibbs Racing.
However, the two-time Sprint Cup champion quickly denied he wants to break his deal with his current bosses.
"I have not asked to be let out of my contract," Stewart said. "There is nothing wrong with my relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing. There are no problems. Nothing is broke."
Stewart’s current deal with JGR runs through 2009, and last summer he talked about signing an extension with the team he’s driven for since joining NASCAR in 1998.

It was rumored that the Columbus, Indiana native wants to pursue negotiations with racing organizations, including ownership possibilities.
"I have received multiple offers recently after my time is up, including several that have caught my interest," Stewart said. " However, no one is putting pressure on me to break my current deal."
Negotiations between Stewart and Joe Gibbs Racing for a new deal stalled before the start of the 2008 season, prompting the temperamental driver to say in January that he was in no rush to sign on again with his current team.
Stewart did admit that he told JGR on Wednesday that other racing groups were interested in his services.
"They were in shock when I told them about other interested parties," Stewart said. "That was their reaction. I just wanted to make sure that we (Stewart’s management team) were up front with them."
A winner of 32 races on the circuit, Stewart said he would take his time to look at all the offers and said he had no timetable for a decision.
"There is still a lot of decision making to do," Stewart said. "I have a lot of homework to do and haven’t signed anything yet."
In a statement earlier Thursday, Gibbs Racing stated that it plans to hold the driver to his contract.
"There has been much speculation regarding the future of our driver, Tony Stewart," team president J.D. Gibbs said. "Tony is currently here through 2009, and from a Joe Gibbs Racing standpoint, we hope he drives for us longer than that and retires here.

KInd of exactly what one would expect two sides of a high-dollar negotiation to say to the media, isn't it?

[WestCoast]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

KInd of exactly what one would expect two sides of a high-dollar negotiation to say to the media, isn't it?

Yup, the Silly Season is on.

This is my favorite line:
"They were in shock when I told them about other interested parties," Stewart said.