NASCAR Silly Season in 2008
Tony Stewart May Leave Joe Gibbs Racing For Haas CNC Racing
What a shocker it would be if Tony Stewart departs the Joe Gibbs Racing operation that has produced three championships this decade.
Several highly reputable news sources have reported that Tony Stewart and Gibbs are working on a deal that would allow him out of his contract so he could pursue an ownership opportunity with Haas CNC Racing. Now if you were to stay off the Internet and away from the sports section in the local newspaper, hearing the Stewart to Haas rumor would generate laughs. One may jokingly reply, ‘Yeah, and Jeff Gordon is buying out Furniture Row Racing and will drive the 78 car’.
Haas CNC Racing is a satellite operation under Hendrick Motorsports, and they have never come close to winning a NASCAR Sprint Cup race. The team’s current owner, Gene Haas, is presently serving time in prison after pleading guilty to fraud. It seems difficult to find a positive aspect to this potential transaction.
Obviously, the idea of ownership intrigues Stewart, as well as his devotion to General Motors. He is an intelligent man, so he must do what he feels is best for his career and future. However, the driver/ownership combination has not worked out for anyone in well over a decade. Michael Waltrip and Robby Gordon will bitterly attest to that.
Sure, Jeff Gordon is the listed owner on the 48 team, but that is Rick Hendrick’s team.
Dale Earnhardt, Sr almost made it work back in the late 1990’sand early 2000’s, but even his organization, DEI, struggled at the outset, and he never drove for his own team.
Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr both own teams in the Nationwide Series, and that has yet to hinder their focus or performance. Perhaps Stewart should go that route, or put the ownership arrangement on hold until after he retires from driving.
Stewart may merely desire the autonomy of being his own boss. He would not have to ask permission to compete in the Indianapolis 500, or any other non-NASCAR sanctioned event.
Clearly, Stewart leaving Joe Gibbs Racing would significantly affect the 2008 NASCAR Silly Season.
Another silly season topic of conversation involves UPS and Carl Edwards. Even when Dale Jarrett’s performance fell off around 2003 and 2004, UPS remained loyal to the 1999 champion. However, UPS witnessed the breakthrough of Denny Hamlin driving the Federal Express sponsored car. Even the FedEx commercials have become just as entertaining as the ‘Drive The Truck’ campaign.
Carl Edwards has materialized as a sponsor’s dream. As he enters the prime of his career, he is vastly marketable. Furthermore, he leads the Sprint Cup Series with three wins so there are no performance issues with Edwards and the 99 team. It is no surprise that UPS is targeting Edwards as their next marketing spokesperson.
Office Depot remains in negotiations with Roush Fenway Racing, but could move to one of the Yates Racing cars.
Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Bobby Labonte, and Martin Truex Jr remain unsigned for 2009 and beyond. If Stewart leaves Joe Gibbs Racing, the 20 ride will categorically emerge as the most coveted ride in NASCAR, by far. Newman and Truex, Jr will likely surface as the frontrunners for the 20 ride, if it becomes available. Truex, Jr is a rising star, and Newman has reached prime of his career, and has proven he can contend for wins and championships. Both Truex and Newman are marketable drivers.
Joey Logano, the teenage sensation that everyone is so high on, is not ready for NASCAR Sprint Cup. He will be the fourth driver at Joe Gibbs Racing when the next expansion occurs, which is likely in 2010.
