In a huge move in NASCAR circles, Joe Gibbs Racing will release Tony Stewart from his contract at the end of the season, and “Smoke” will join forces with Haas CNC Racing for the 2009 season, where he reportedly own a 50 percent stake in the organization.
“We've had a lot of success with Tony in our 12 years here," Joe Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs said in the release. "While this moment is bittersweet, we're parting on good terms and we know that each of us has benefited greatly from the other.”
With 32 career victories, Cup championships in 2002 and 2005 and more than $68 million in winnings, it's been one of the most steady and successful partnerships in NASCAR history. JGR wanted Stewart to sign an extension to stay with the No. 20 team beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of 2009.
However, Stewart is winless this season and was intrigued in an ownership stake – he already owns several smaller racetracks. He will finish out 2008 with JGR.
Haas CNC has two cars, the Nos. 66 and 70 Chevys currently driven by Scott Riggs and Johnny Sauter. Ryan Newman, who is in the final year of his contract with Penske Racing, is widely considered the leading candidate to become Stewart's teammate.
But who fills his big shoes at JGR?
It's expected that 18-year-old Joey Logano will replace Stewart in the No. 20 Sprint Cup Series car. Logano made his Nationwide Series debut in May and became the youngest driver ever to win in the division when he was victorious in his third series start on June 14.Logano acknowledged Wednesday that he is a candidate to fill that spot.
“It has been brought up a few times," Logano said.
Logano said he will focus the rest of this season on his Nationwide Series ride and hope to get into a few Cup races before the end of the year to prepare him for next season. In four Nationwide starts, Logano has finished sixth, 31st, first and second.
"It's a big deal," Logano said of Stewart leaving. "But Joe Gibbs Racing will go on and continue to do well. I don't see the team taking a very big hit."
J.D. Gibbs has said in recent weeks that the organization is in no rush to move Logano up but also that he thinks Logano is ready to compete at stock car racing's highest level.
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