A year left on Gibbs deal, is Stewart testing market?

Associated Press
April 25, 2008

Article tools

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Tony Stewart apparently is testing the free-agent market, in search of a deal that likely would make the two-time champion NASCAR's highest-paid driver -- but also could drive him out of Joe Gibbs Racing.

Stewart's current deal with JGR runs through 2009, and he said last summer he was interested in signing an extension with the team he has driven for since 1998. But contract talks moved slowly.

Then came a pair of Internet reports Wednesday alleging Stewart is in negotiations to purchase at least a portion of Haas CNC Racing in a deal that would require him to leave JGR. ESPN.com reported Stewart had asked to be released from his contract at the end of last season.

JGR president J.D. Gibbs indicated yesterday the team intends to hold Stewart to his contract.

"We've got Tony signed through '08 and '09, and we want to go full bore and win a bunch of races and championships together," Gibbs told the Associated Press in an e-mail. "Our hope is that if you do that, then long term this will be the spot he chooses to retire."

Stewart, winless this season, is tied for sixth in the Sprint Cup Series. In nine full seasons with Gibbs, he has won 32 career Cup races, championships in 2002 and 2005 and more than $67 million in prize money.

"Happy where I'm at. I've still got another year, not only this year, but I've got all of next year on my contract," Stewart said on Tony Stewart Live in response to a caller asking if he was looking at leaving. "Things aren't broke there. We're not trying to fix anything. Everything's good."

Stewart previously has stated he'd like to retire from NASCAR still driving for JGR, and that he can't imagine a scenario where he's not working with crew chief Greg Zipadelli.

Many believe Stewart's desire to test the market is nothing more than a bargaining chip to use with JGR. He used similar tactics in 2002, when he leveraged an offer from owner Chip Ganassi to secure a better deal with Gibbs.

But Stewart has more options now, and there's even more at stake for the driver, who turns 37 next month and likely is negotiating his final contract.

He long ago set in motion an aggressive business plan that centers around his love of grass-roots racing, and the former sprint-car star now owns several lower-level race teams and has ownership in a handful of racetracks, including full ownership of famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio. Moving into an ownership of a Cup team would complete his portfolio.

More articles

Copyright © 2008, The Baltimore Sun

Would you recommend this?

Rate it:
No Somewhat Neutral Yes Highly
QUICK LINKS  | Auto racing
PHOTOS
• 2008 NASCAR season
• '08 Daytona 500
• Daytona: Past winners
• '07 Nextel Cup
• Indy 500
• More sports photos
• Photo search
NASCAR SPRINT CUP
Updates | Leaders | Schedule | Results

NASCAR NATIONWIDE
Updates | Leaders | Schedule | Results

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK
Updates | Schedule/Results | Leaders

IRL
Updates | Leaders | Schedule/Results

CHAMP CAR
Updates | Schedule/Results

FORMULA ONE
Updates | Schedule/Results

Search Classifieds

JOBS   CARS   HOMES   SHOP

Other Features

  • Contests
  • Special Sections
  • Fifty Plus

Featured Video Advertisers

Online resources

Download desktop wallpaper created from Sun sports photos
> Orioles
> 1983 World Series
> Ravens
> More

> Sports photo galleries
> Sports blogs
> Sports contests
> Submit sports feedback
Sports Direct newsletter - Subscribe
Sign up for our breaking sports alerts and weekly e-newsletter

Going deep

Sun sports special reports and in-depth coverage
> 1983 O's
> Recruiting Tavon Austin
> Football: The tie that binds
> Orioles
> Baltimore Colts
> Going deep: Other sports