The Tony Stewart saga isn't getting any less complicated, despite reports that he now has a sponsor in Office Depot when he leaves Joe Gibbs Racing for part ownership in Haas CNC.
Reports are now suggesting that Stewart will not take over the ride and ownership at his new team until he finishes out his contract at JGR, a team with which he's driven for 10 years.
Joe Gibbs Racing President JD Gibbs said Friday in Daytona that he is still in negotiations with the two-time Cup champion, and there's even talk that the team may add a fourth car for the 2009 season for 18-year-old Joey Logano.
Old Spice, whose contract is also up with JGR at the end of this year, is rumored to be going to Smoke's new team as well.
Confused? Join the club.
Stewart's announcement on future plans is expected to come the weekend of the Brickyard 400, which takes place in his home state of Indiana. It's also the home state of Ryan Newman, who is rumored to be Smoke's teammate at the new team.
So, what happens if Stewart doesn't go to Haas in 2009, but stays with Gibbs? Will that force Newman to stay with Penske and Truex Jr. to say with DEI if, say, Casey Mears signs with RCR?
Or will Rocket Man launch out of his lackluster team to be teammates with Harvick, Burton, and Bowyer, leaving Mears without a ride? And where is Truex in all this mess, anyway?
To complicate Truex's situation further, not only did he express extreme frustration Thursday when his car was impounded by NASCAR, but DEI may be losing a major sponsor.
John Menard, who owns Menards which is currently sponsoring his son Paul in the No. 15, is apparently talking to Jack Roush about helping Yates Racing stay alive. If young Menard loses a sponsor, hanging onto Truex could prove very vital to DEI's chances of surviving another year.
And I didn't think anything could get more complicated than the Earnhardt Jr./Kyle Busch fiasco of last year.
I stand corrected.
Tony Stewart Saga, NASCAR Silly Season Get More Complicated
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7 comments Last one added 12 months ago — Leave a Comment
L.J. Burgess about 1 year ago
5 Star analysis Jen.
For Smoke to move, someone has to buy-out that JGR contract and considering the Seattle Supersonics just paid 75 big...Tony's a bigger name.
This is fascinating saga and with "Sliced Bread" coming JGR has got nothing to lose here. Home Depot would be crazy to not sign Logano, and the engine department at JGR is a top three outfit.
Other than being a No.1 on his own team, Stewart has little to gain by opting out early and running mid-pack in '09. He won't be sitting in the top ten when the chase comes around next year if he does.
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eric weidenhammer about 1 year ago
For smoke it is rumored that Chevy is buying out the rest of his contract for 09 season. When Stewart goes over to Haas it is one of Hendricks satellite teams so as soon as he get there he will probably be getting a lot more info on the Chevy from that group of people then what they have right now. I don’t think he will be back at JGR next year. Newman will be driving for Stewart in 09 too. Man what a team that would be.
Poor DEI, was JR right about the people at DEI last year. Maybe Chevy should have dropped them and not JGR. just makes you think on what is really going on does she even care about the team. let alone she might lose Truex and get Mear instead. really she going to make it who really wants to drive for her id she doesn't what to get good equipment to the teams.
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Adam Amick 12 months ago
Mark Martin to Hendrick Motorsports for 2009 - the FULL year.
That tells me Brad Keselowski is going to get one more year before coming up to Cup.
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Christopher Leone 12 months ago
I wish Stewart wouldn't wait until Indianapolis to make an announcement. That just means we're going to have three and a half more weeks of talking this one into the ground.
D'you think we may see another DEI merger in the near future?
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S M Napier 12 months ago
Good job, on this Jen. Know with the Smoke saga, my head would be pounding trying to write about it.
I can't see Smoke not driving for JGR in '09 and then moving back to a Chevy. Since it sounds like Joey will be driving a limited schedule in '09 in a 4th car and basing that on a J. D. Gibb comment on Nationwide coverage at Daytona on ESPN2.
Chris, maybe Kyle will let us know what Smoke will do. Like he did with Gibbs was going to Toyota before it was officially announced.
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Jen Preston 12 months ago
Thanks guys yeah I know SM my head is spinning with all these "what if's"- it's definitely a better kept secret than Dale Jr. going to Hendrick, which is driving me CRAZY. I hope if they do only put Joey in limited races they'll due seven or less I think he'd be deserving of Rookie of the Year.
Hey good point maybe Kyle will tell us! And yes Chris I think another DEI merger is bound to happen I mean... I don't know, maybe they'll be a satalite team for RCR? Childress already 'merged' their engine departments, but DEI is just becoming so lackluster... I don't even know what's going on with them lol but after what happened yesterday and seeing Truex's reaction, I wouldn't blame him for leaving...
THERE'S JUST TOO MUCH!! lol
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adam monte 12 months ago
I think that a newman stewart combination would help out newman and stewart a lot. I think that stewart is tired at gibbs because he isn't the top driver anymore...kyle took that away from him. Newman on the other hand needs to get away from Penske becase that team is going down just like DEI is... i think that DEI won't even be a team anymore or they will get bought out by 2010 anyway. you just can't have a team that has drivers Paul Menard, Regan Smith, and who else cares on the team...most likely casey mears after truex most likely goes to penske after newman leaves. there are also rumors that newman will be sponsored by "Burger King."
~GO NEWMAN!
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