Tony Stewart.
The name is synonymous with winning races and championships.
And now Free Agency.
He has raced in Nascars top level for 10 years, within one of its most powerful organizations. With the current youth movement in the Joe Gibbs Racing stable seeming to come full circle with the Joey Logano experiment, you begin to wonder where might the 2002 and 2005 Champion wind up next year.
My guess?
Hendrick Motorsports.
Yes, the same organization that currently employs Four Time Cup champion Jeff Gordon, two time defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, and Nascar's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The same organization that recently has said that it will not bring back Casey Mears back to the 5 car in 2009.
So with Nascar's free agency starting earlier year after year, one begins to wonder who might fill that seat next year.
At JGR, its obvious that Stewart is fading behind other's in his camp in Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin. Stewart, although dominate in the Nationwide series, has yet to win in a cup car in 2008.
Not necessarily the organizations fault, but there does seem to be a strange feeling in the air when you talk about Tony.
Rick Hendrick has the resources to pull it off folks.
The same reasons why Earnhardt bolted from DEI last year could be the same path chosen for Stewart.
Earnhardt was seeking some ownership in the company his father, the late Dale Earnhardt Sr., had built. When it became obvious they were heading in another direction, Earnhardt bolted. Not for the money, he could've went to any organization in the sport and made millions upon millions.
He and Tony share the same common bond; Winning Championships.
Tony is a racer. It's in his blood. It's really all he knows. But he knows it well.
Its obvious that Tony isn't much of a money guy never has been. To him its about winning, and still to this day he seeks that elusive Daytona 500 trophy.
Hendrick Motorsports gives him that chance. Tony would also be reunited with the all American brand Chevrolet.
JGR made the switch to Toyota after being with General Motors (Pontiac and Chevy) for Stewart's first 9 years in Cup Racing.
Although he races in a Toyota, he remains loyal to Chevy with his Eldora Raceway projects among others, with Hendrick a GM organization, this move would make sense.
Rick could also allow Tony to pursue the possibility of ownership if he so chooses. After all, Jeff Gordon is part owner of the 48 Lowes Chevy that Jimmie Johnson drives.
Nascar doesn't put a cap on the amount of money that any one owner can pay its drivers. Just a cap on the number of cars that one team can run.
One year ago the great Earnhardt debate was on, and no one pictured him leaving DEI for Hendrick.
Hendrick said that there was "No Room" for Earnhardt within the organization.
He found it quick though didn't he.
Rick Hendrick kept Casey Mears, and let Kyle Busch go to make room for Earnhardt. Now fast forward to 2008. Casey Mears now is on the way out at Hendrick to make room for someone in 2009. That someone could very well be Stewart.
How's that for a team? Gordon, Johnson, Earnhardt, and Stewart.
Rick Hendrick is an opportunist, a business man. Opportunities like this don't present themselves very often.
The move makes sense for all parties involved.
Now its up to Rick Hendrick and Stewart to make it happen.
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