Tony Stewart may be looking to leave Joe Gibbs Racing before his contract is up in 2009, but JGR has no desire to accommodate him, according to two online reports.
ESPN.com, citing anonymous sources, reported Wednesday that Stewart has told Gibbs officials he wants to be released from the final year of his driver contract. SI.com, citing its own sources, reported that Stewart was deep in negotiations to move to Haas/CNC Racing for the '09 season. Stewart would drive the No. 66 or No. 70 car and become a part-owner of the racing team.
JGR president J.D. Gibbs told ESPN.com that Stewart wasn't going anywhere right now. "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."
Haas officials told ESPN.com and SI.com that the outfit has not made any deals with Stewart but would be interested in talking with him.
Stewart's publicist, Mike Arning, told the website, "Tony's contract is through the 2009 season. When that is up he'll have a lot of options for 2010 and beyond. But in terms of what he's going to do, or might do, for now and in between, as far as JGR is concerned he's their driver for 2009."
Sources also told the websites that Stewart would like to again drive Chevrolet cars; Gibbs Racing switched to Toyotas this season. Haas runs Chevys provided by Hendrick Motorsports, which also fields cars for two-time defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, four-time Cup winner Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Casey Mears
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