Tony Stewart will pick up the tempo and take it on home under the hood of Joe Gibbs Racing for the final time this season, as it has been reported that the he will gain his release from his long time racing team and, in all likelihood, take off on his own. While exploring his options, Stewart was most intrigued in potential ownership opportunities and he's had an offer on the table since April to purchase the fledgling two-car team of Haas-CNC Racing. By owning his own team, Stewart believed he could ensure a spot for himself in NASCAR long after his driving days.It's believed that the move would free up Stewart to invest in Haas-CNC. It's also believed that Ryan Newman could join Stewart on his new team, and that he would "gut" the current staffing of the company and bring in his own people.
But he first had to gain his release, something owner Joe Gibbs and team president J.D. Gibbs had insisted they would not agree to.
When it became clear Stewart wanted out, the Gibbs' finally relented and will apparently sign off on his early departure Wednesday. The team is expected to replace the 37-year-old Stewart, one of NASCAR's most celebrated drivers, with 18-year-old phenom Joey Logano with Home Depot staying on board as the sponsor.
Stewart and Gibbs Racing have been back and forth regarding contract negotiations, but apparently the outspoken driver stood firm enough to eventually gain his release. The most obvious benefit, as noted, to Stewart getting all entrepreneurial on his next go round, is that he stands to already have a large foot in the door when he decides to step away from the wheel and move into the administrative end of racing.
Of course, all of this is expressly contingent on the announcement that will come tomorrow, and even then, Stewart will still be a "free agent" following the season until he makes his specific plans known. Although based on the report that ESPN issued in the early Wednesday a.m. hours, it is almost a certainty that Stewart joins forces with Haas.
On Thursday at Chicagoland Speedway, Stewart will formally announce a move to Haas/CNC Racing as co-owner and driver, sources close to Stewart said. Haas/CNC, which currently fields the Nos. 66 and 70 Chevrolets, will be renamed Stewart Haas Racing in 2009.So, if you believe "sources" (and why not, right?) then this deal is as good as done. But, as we've seen over the past 12 hours, things can change pretty quickly in the world of athletic contract negotiations. Still, the noise that Stewart has made over the past few months -- and the freedom a 50% stake in a smaller company would afford him -- make this seem like a pretty logical next step.
Sources close to both sides told ESPN.com the deal will make Stewart the highest-paid driver in NASCAR.
Sources also said the Stewart Haas cars will carry different numbers. The No. 14, made famous in IndyCar racing by Stewart's hero, A.J. Foyt, is available, but sources would neither confirm nor deny that as his choice.
Sources said Stewart will own a 50 percent stake in the organization, but his financial investment in attaining it was not disclosed.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-09-2008 @ 3:50AM
David Flodquist said...
Tony Stewart wants to drive good old AMERICAN cars in the good old U.S.A. Bless that man.
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7-09-2008 @ 9:08AM
CJ said...
See, this is a story! That crappy Robby Gordon/Wrigley Field/Jim Beam sponsor crap they put up yesterday! I have to say, it's a smart business move for him, but if i was a Stewart fan, i wouldnt be so happy about the team he's going to. I would be happy to see him back in a Chevy.
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7-09-2008 @ 9:19AM
drgrcr601 said...
Those who believe that this move by Tony is a mistake should think again. This is a win win situation for all those involved. Tony is no dummy and gets what he wants. His ownership in a cup team, back with Chevrolet, and his future locked in. What more could this talented driver want or need? Tony is not the kind of guy who is willing to sit on his hands and lull around as some teams seem to be doing either by choice, lack of funds or both. Corperate sponsers will be camping on Tony's doorstep trying to get a piece of this action and I wouldn't be suprised to see his new team at a top tier level in a matter of a couple of years. Big money makes things happen quickly.
Lagano will get a ride in the 20 car, a perfect spot for this talented young driver and everyone is happy.JMO
Ron
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7-09-2008 @ 9:41AM
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7-09-2008 @ 10:25AM
Kim said...
Well, when I am wrong, I say so and I was. :-( I really thought Stewart would be in the Hendrick # 5 by 2010 and would finish out his contract with Gibbs through the 2009 season.
While I agree that it is a great move for Tony to become an owner & be back in a Chevy, I am not so sure about him purchasing a flegeling team such as Haas CNC Racing. It is so hard to be a successful owner when you have a good team with good equipment, but to have one that is already struggling that you are going to have to "gut", well that's just going to take a ton of time, money, and committment, not to mention patience, which sometimes Tony doesn't possess (LOL). I suppose if anyone has the drive in him to become a successful new owner, it would have to be Tony Stewart. Good luck to him!
CJ, it appears you were right. Good call. :-)
Susan, you were also right when you called Logano as Tony's replacement. Good call, too. :-)
As for Newman, his talents have been wasted for years. I would like to see him in a more successful ride as well. JMO
Kim
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7-09-2008 @ 11:56AM
Susan said...
I am happy for Tony that he is going to be a co-owner of a Cup team. He will be more financially sound than most 2nd tier teams. I think that it may take a couple of years but he will turn it around. Ryan Newman will be his co-driver.
There are people that don't like Tony speaking out about things. I miss that Tony. I'll be so glad when he can say what he thinks again. I thought he felt he was in Romper Room at Gibbs. He'll be free again!!
CJ, I am a Tony fan. I've told you before that Haas would be the company. Tony will have a relationship with Hendrick. He will have the money. He's a good businessman apparently.
This is off topic: The Yates cars that mainly don't have sponsors. What is going on with that? Jack Rousch said they (Yates cars) will be getting sponsors shortly. It looks to me like a way for Rousch to own more cars. It also looks like Jack has to be funding Yates. Or he would be closing teams, looking for investors or going OOB. JMO.
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7-09-2008 @ 12:27PM
Mike said...
I was going to ask you, Kim, about that "really good feeling". Tony is certainly one of the best and I hope it works out well for him. Now that all this news will probably be out in the open in a day or so maybe he can get back on track. Much like Jeff Gordon this year, Tony has not been as successful as evryone knows he should be.
MBL
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7-09-2008 @ 1:27PM
drgrcr601 said...
I can tell you from my own experiences Mike (although own a much lower level) that some years are good and some suck. It's just the way it is. You sit and wonder what the hell is going on and why am I having such a bad year. The answers never come because you can't pin it down to one thing. So you spend the year trying this and trying that in hopes you stumble onto something but most times you don't. And then the next year is pretty good and you start wondering what am I doing this year I didnt do last year. The answer never seems to come there either. Maybe fate is the great equalizer. In my case anyhow.
Ron
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7-09-2008 @ 4:25PM
Dayle said...
I am a Tony Stewart Fan! I don't what make of car he drives or who he drives it for. It's his career and his decision! I am 100% A Tony Stewart FAN. I wish him all the best in all his endeavors.
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7-09-2008 @ 7:58PM
anna seitter said...
WOW? EXCELLENT, THE FANHOUSE BLOGGERS IN DROWS ARE
TUNING PRO TONY;contrary to last year, these pages
are slowly becoming a TONY STEWART PROMOTION.
TERRIFIC, about time?? works for me....
anna seitter.
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7-09-2008 @ 8:55PM
CJ said...
Well, Kim, i was with you in hoping Tony would be in the 5 car, but Mark Martin is still a better option for the 5 car than Casey Mears. I hear Tony Stewart is going to run the 14 car with Office Depot(funny he's going from one Home Depot to another Office Depot, but he's supposedly going to reveal the car in two weeks at Indy, and they'll probably announce that Ryan Newman is also joining the second car with Jack Daniels as sponsors, with potential of Burger King also to join. There has even been rumors that Martin Truex and Bass Pro could be a third team, but i'd be suprised if that happen.
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7-10-2008 @ 7:24PM
Mike LeVan said...
Easy there, Anna. I just was wishing him well. As it was always his previous bad attitude I knocked, I have had no reason to crack hard on the guy this year. He, in fact, has been a poster boy for Nascar this year. All he needs to do now is start shaving three times a week.
MBL
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7-18-2008 @ 9:55PM
GREG said...
I AM HAPPY TO SEE TONY PART WAYS WITH TOYOTA. HE IS MY NEW HERO.
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