Chrud Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 Copied from Jayski. 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), am sure this will be much dicussed about over the weekend at Talladega.(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 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." 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 # 66 and 70 Chevys. Under that scenario he would drive one of those two machines. Such a move would reunite Stewart with Chevy, 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.(ESPN.com)(4-23-2008) Comment here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig mack Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 I kinda figured that he wants to get back in a Chevy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
str8shooter48 Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 I kinda figured that he wants to get back in a Chevy. And I like it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 I kinda think he will be the final piece in Hendrick's Dream team, replace Mears with Stewart. That is a dream team. Possibility he is friends with Harvick that he will be the new guy in the 4th team at RCR they are starting next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Turtle Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 With Tony, who knows. He could get tired of NASCAR all together and go back to open wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrud Posted April 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 I kinda think he will be the final piece in Hendrick's Dream team, replace Mears with Stewart. That is a dream team. Possibility he is friends with Harvick that he will be the new guy in the 4th team at RCR they are starting next year. That would be a pretty awesome team, with Stewart at Hendrick. Haas is pretty much a Hendrick team. Thought I heard Bobby Labonte was going to be #4 at RCR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowJoe Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 I kinda think he will be the final piece in Hendrick's Dream team, replace Mears with Stewart. That is a dream team. Possibility he is friends with Harvick that he will be the new guy in the 4th team at RCR they are starting next year. I couldn't agree more. It's like you're looking inside my head... KRie P. (creepy) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 Only Tony and his PR people know whats going on...the media is speculating. He and Harvick are good friends...wouldn't be surprised to see him in the 4th RCR car next year, IF he does leave JGR. The 4th RCR car is still up in the air (at least for us, I'm sure Childress has a good idea who will be in it)...I still think it will be Scott Wimmer...but this Stewart thing could change things up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowJoe Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 I don't think Wimmer will be anywhere but where he is. I don't see Tony going to RCR because they have their team in sync. All 3 are coming off of a good last season and have done pretty good this season as well. I see him possibly joining Hendrick or maybe even a lesser team with a possibility of becoming owner or partner in a team. For the most part, I wouldn't be surprised to see him as part team owner of his own #20 Home Depot car and maybe be part owner of the 4th car in JGR. Maybe Tony will be the part owner of the Joey Logano car. I honestly don't see him leaving but I also don't see him staying with Toyota. It's a coin toss for the most part but if he's loyal then he'll stay with Zippy and Joe. Who knows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 I don't see Tony going to RCR because they have their team in sync. All 3 are coming off of a good last season and have done pretty good this season as well. RCR is running a forth car next year and Tony wants to drive a Chevy...hmmmmm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camoman1 Posted April 28, 2008 Report Share Posted April 28, 2008 I hope he goes somewhere....i just cant bring myself to cheer for him in that dang Toyota!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted April 28, 2008 Report Share Posted April 28, 2008 I think the Toyota deal has made Tony reconsider where to go. He's a Chevy man at heart. Gibbs went with the money deal and as you can see the #18 is on fire so its working. Hard to say if Home Depot will follow but Tony is gold for them, he has made them a powerhouse, so if he goes with them its kinda hard to see him in a Hendrick car with Jimmie having Lowes as a sponsor. So it will be interesting, maybe Home Depot will stay at JGR but whoever fills that #20 will be starting fresh as Zippy will go with Tony like Dale and Tony Eury Jr did. Great chemistry with Zip & Tony. Will be interesting to see where he moves but he will make a move or have ownership in some team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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