Reports say Tony Stewart aims to leave Gibbs Racing

Matt Slocum, Associated Press

Tony Stewart chats with a crew member.

By David Poole , McClatchy Newspapers

Last update: April 24, 2008 - 12:02 AM

Two online reports citing unnamed sources said Wednesday that Tony Stewart wants out of the final year of a contract with Joe Gibbs Racing that runs through the 2009 season.

Sports Illustrated's Internet site reported that Stewart "is working on the final stages of a deal" that would put him at Haas CNC Racing next year.

ESPN.com, meanwhile, reported that Stewart is "intrigued" by the prospect of owning a team and said one scenario has Stewart getting up to a 50 percent ownership stake in Haas CNC Racing and driving one of its two Chevrolets. Hass CNC Racing gets its engines and other support from Hendrick Motorsports.

The Charlotte Observer tried unsuccessfully to contact Stewart and Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs for comment.

J.D. Gibbs told ESPN.com's Marty Smith that Stewart "definitely has some options" but will remain with the Gibbs team through 2009. "There's no ifs, ands or buts about that one," Gibbs said.

Stewart said last year he wanted to wait until after the season to talk about a contract extension, then said before this year began that those discussions had not taken place. The Gibbs team switched from Chevrolets to Toyotas before the 2008 season.

"I am not concerned with the end of '09 right now because we have '08 to get through first," Stewart said during the preseason NASCAR media tour. "It's a topic with the team here and they want to get something taken care of, but I want to see how the beginning of this year goes and get halfway through the season before we worry about talking about it again.

"Nothing has to be done anyway. It's about now to me. We have a change of manufacturer here, let's worry about that and worry about winning races and then we'll worry about the rest of it."

Stewart has won at least two races in each of his first nine seasons in NASCAR's Cup Series. He has 32 victories since coming from the Indy Racing League to begin full-time NASCAR competition in 1999. Only Jeff Gordon (39) and Jimmie Johnson (32) have as many wins in that span.

Stewart won championships in 2002 and '05. He is seventh in the Cup standings with five top-10 finishes in eight races this year, but does not have a victory.