Source: Stewart to get release from Gibbs

wopher · 07-09-2008, 05:46 AM

Becomes second high-profile Cup driver to switch teams in a year

Two-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart’s tenure is set to end at Joe Gibbs Racing, the Observer has learned.

JGR, which has been Stewart’s home his entire career in NASCAR’s top series, is expected to announce as soon as Wednesday that it’s releasing Stewart from his contract obligations beyond this season, multiple sources confirmed Tuesday night. A team spokesman did not immediately return a call for comment.

Stewart’s contract is to run through 2009. His release would make him the second high-profile Cup driver to switch teams in a year. Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced in May 2007 he was leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. – his home his entire Cup career – to move to Hendrick Motorsports this season.

It might not be long before Stewart’s new home is known. Sources said plans were being made to try to assemble an announcement this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, where Stewart is expected to say he has bought into Haas CNC Racing. Stewart and another driver are expected to run a two-Cup operation next season, sources said.

Rumors of Stewart’s future with JGR have run rampant for weeks and were ignited by reports in April he was considering buying into a Cup team and leaving JGR.

At the time, JGR team President J.D. Gibbs insisted Stewart would remain with the organization at least through next season.

“Tony and our team are on the same page, and our goal in the next couple of years in ’08 and ’09, we’re going to go full bore and hopefully win a bunch of races and championships together,” Gibbs said then. “Hopefully this will be the spot he chooses to retire. The reality is we only control the next couple of years.”

As recently as last weekend at Daytona, Gibbs reiterated any discussions regarding Stewart and his contract were about after the 2009 season.

Stewart made his Cup debut in 1999 and has made all 338 of his starts for Gibbs. He was rookie of the year in 1999, winning three races. Stewart, the Cup champion in 2002 and 2005, has won 32 series races – at least two in each of his first nine full seasons. Only Jeff Gordon (39) and Jimmie Johnson (34) have more victories since 1999. He has won $68,549,075 in his career.

Cars owned by Gene Haas, the owner of Haas-CNC Racing, have one top-five and 13 top-10 finishes in 250 Cup races since 2002. “We’ve had a great run at Joe Gibbs Racing and it doesn’t mean it’s over yet,” Stewart said in April when announcing he was exploring all options. “We’re just going to look at everything out there. “A wise person once told me it doesn’t cost a dime to listen, so right now we’re all ears.” Staff writer David Poole

Source: Stewart to <br>get release from Gibbs

blueyedfairy_1 · 07-09-2008, 09:37 AM

Alittle birdie told me that he was going to announce his plans sometime today!

Schwartz Fan · 07-09-2008, 11:32 AM

At 2:30 p.m. ET Thursday, watch live coverage of the video conference with Tony Stewart.

NASCAR.COM : Live Webcast

revvinjim · 07-09-2008, 10:20 PM

I hope he gets a championship this year so he can go out on a high note. I'm counting this as a retirement.

That new team will need a lot more than Tony Stewart to become a winner.

blueyedfairy_1 · 07-10-2008, 09:00 AM

Ok here is what I was told last night....

Tony is going to buy majority interest in Haas CNC Racing & run 2 cars next year. He will drive 1 & Ryan will drive the other, Office Depot on Tony & Jack Daniels on Ryan's, UPS goes to # 07 @ Childress

Schwartz Fan · 07-10-2008, 10:13 AM

Speed to broadcast Stewart's news conference
By SceneDaily Staff
Thursday, July 10, 2008

Speed officials say the cable channel will carry live coverage of Tony Stewart's news conference at Chicagoland Speedway at 2:30 p.m. EDT today.

Stewart is expected to announce his plans for 2009 after Joe Gibbs Racing announced yesterday that Stewart would leave the team at the end of the 2008 Sprint Cup season. Sources have said the two-time Cup champion will become a part owner of Haas CNC Racing.

Speed to broadcast Stewart's news conference - Sprint Cup Series | SceneDaily.com - NASCAR News

revvinjim · 07-10-2008, 07:40 PM

He isn't buying into Haas, he is being given 50% ownership for signing with them. That could make him the highest paid driver in NASCAR

jonesi · 07-12-2008, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by revvinjim

He isn't buying into Haas, he is being given 50% ownership for signing with them. That could make him the highest paid driver in NASCAR

It could also be the begining of Stewart making a small fortune in racing, the old fashion way: Own a team and start with a large one. ;-)

Dirt track racer · 07-12-2008, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by jonesi

It could also be the begining of Stewart making a small fortune in racing, the old fashion way: Own a team and start with a large one. ;-)

That may be way to true. Bigger teams have folded up. People with loads of money have lost it all.
Good luck Tony.

07-09-2008, 05:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
wopher Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3,172	Source: Stewart to get release from Gibbs Becomes second high-profile Cup driver to switch teams in a year Two-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart’s tenure is set to end at Joe Gibbs Racing, the Observer has learned. JGR, which has been Stewart’s home his entire career in NASCAR’s top series, is expected to announce as soon as Wednesday that it’s releasing Stewart from his contract obligations beyond this season, multiple sources confirmed Tuesday night. A team spokesman did not immediately return a call for comment. Stewart’s contract is to run through 2009. His release would make him the second high-profile Cup driver to switch teams in a year. Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced in May 2007 he was leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. – his home his entire Cup career – to move to Hendrick Motorsports this season. It might not be long before Stewart’s new home is known. Sources said plans were being made to try to assemble an announcement this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, where Stewart is expected to say he has bought into Haas CNC Racing. Stewart and another driver are expected to run a two-Cup operation next season, sources said. Rumors of Stewart’s future with JGR have run rampant for weeks and were ignited by reports in April he was considering buying into a Cup team and leaving JGR. At the time, JGR team President J.D. Gibbs insisted Stewart would remain with the organization at least through next season. “Tony and our team are on the same page, and our goal in the next couple of years in ’08 and ’09, we’re going to go full bore and hopefully win a bunch of races and championships together,” Gibbs said then. “Hopefully this will be the spot he chooses to retire. The reality is we only control the next couple of years.” As recently as last weekend at Daytona, Gibbs reiterated any discussions regarding Stewart and his contract were about after the 2009 season. Stewart made his Cup debut in 1999 and has made all 338 of his starts for Gibbs. He was rookie of the year in 1999, winning three races. Stewart, the Cup champion in 2002 and 2005, has won 32 series races – at least two in each of his first nine full seasons. Only Jeff Gordon (39) and Jimmie Johnson (34) have more victories since 1999. He has won $68,549,075 in his career. Cars owned by Gene Haas, the owner of Haas-CNC Racing, have one top-five and 13 top-10 finishes in 250 Cup races since 2002. “We’ve had a great run at Joe Gibbs Racing and it doesn’t mean it’s over yet,” Stewart said in April when announcing he was exploring all options. “We’re just going to look at everything out there. “A wise person once told me it doesn’t cost a dime to listen, so right now we’re all ears.” Staff writer David Poole Source: Stewart to <br>get release from Gibbs

07-09-2008, 09:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
blueyedfairy_1 Please dont drink & drive Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 4,266	Alittle birdie told me that he was going to announce his plans sometime today! __________________

07-09-2008, 11:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Schwartz Fan Co-Administrator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The flatlands...Where dirt is for farming, clay is for racin' and asphalt is for gettin there!!! Posts: 9,543	At 2:30 p.m. ET Thursday, watch live coverage of the video conference with Tony Stewart. NASCAR.COM : Live Webcast __________________

07-09-2008, 10:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
revvinjim Resident Old Fart Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 2,850	I hope he gets a championship this year so he can go out on a high note. I'm counting this as a retirement. That new team will need a lot more than Tony Stewart to become a winner. __________________ Never argue with an idiot--people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

07-10-2008, 09:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
blueyedfairy_1 Please dont drink & drive Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 4,266	Ok here is what I was told last night.... Tony is going to buy majority interest in Haas CNC Racing & run 2 cars next year. He will drive 1 & Ryan will drive the other, Office Depot on Tony & Jack Daniels on Ryan's, UPS goes to # 07 @ Childress __________________

07-10-2008, 10:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
Schwartz Fan Co-Administrator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The flatlands...Where dirt is for farming, clay is for racin' and asphalt is for gettin there!!! Posts: 9,543	Speed to broadcast Stewart's news conference By SceneDaily Staff Thursday, July 10, 2008 Speed officials say the cable channel will carry live coverage of Tony Stewart's news conference at Chicagoland Speedway at 2:30 p.m. EDT today. Stewart is expected to announce his plans for 2009 after Joe Gibbs Racing announced yesterday that Stewart would leave the team at the end of the 2008 Sprint Cup season. Sources have said the two-time Cup champion will become a part owner of Haas CNC Racing. Speed to broadcast Stewart's news conference - Sprint Cup Series \| SceneDaily.com - NASCAR News __________________

07-10-2008, 07:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
revvinjim Resident Old Fart Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 2,850	He isn't buying into Haas, he is being given 50% ownership for signing with them. That could make him the highest paid driver in NASCAR __________________ Never argue with an idiot--people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

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