NASCAR shakeup: Stewart to Hendricks?
June 28th 2008 22:59
Tony Stewart’s future plans just got changed. Or did they?
It’s no big secret that Stewart, driver of the Home Depot Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, hasn’t been real happy in his ride at Joe Gibbs Racing. While all the reasons aren’t known, two things are obvious: Stewart isn’t winning. And Stewart isn’t driving a Chevy, where he had most of his success.
He had been working on plans to develop his own race team, and indeed that may begin in 2009. Rather Stewart is with them is yet to be seen.
Gibbs may opt to make sure Stewart honors his contract through 2009. But that’s looking more and more like it’s not going to happen.
Stewart is obviously intrigued by the recent announcement that Hendricks Motorsports and Casey Mears are parting ways at the end of the season.
“You’ve got to be,” he was quoted as saying when asked about his interest.
Stewart to Hendricks? It’s looking more and more like a strong possibility every moment. Imagine Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Stewart on the same team. That’s four of the most popular driver on the circuit together. Sponsors would be knocking down the door to get a piece of the action.
And it makes sense that he might join. Stewart and Jr. are good friends. Stewart once had a nice rivalry with Gordon, but now the two have done charity events together and get along fine. It would put Stewart back in a Chevy, where he dominates. And all four, despite being stars in their own right, would be like the Boston Celtics trio of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen…nearly unstoppable together for the good of the team.
Would Joe Gibbs release him? In a heartbeat. Gibbs no doubt likes having Stewart and his popularity on his team, but Gibbs also has the hottest young driver in the sport ready to make his debut in Joey Lagano. Lagano will be driving in the Sprint Cup Series next season. He was probably just going to join Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch on the team, but he’d immediately be the star. Think Stewart would play second fiddle to an 18-year old? He won’t mind so much playing second fiddle to a group of established drivers at Hendricks though. But if he stays at Gibbs, it will be miserable for all involved, so expect to see Stewart pick up the No. 5 ride at Hendricks.
The only issues are going to be sponsorships. Johnson drives for Lowe’s, Home Depot’s top rival, and Gordon, of course is a Pepsi Driver, a top rival of Stewart’s coke sponsorship. But I think Stewart will survive just fine.
It’s no big secret that Stewart, driver of the Home Depot Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, hasn’t been real happy in his ride at Joe Gibbs Racing. While all the reasons aren’t known, two things are obvious: Stewart isn’t winning. And Stewart isn’t driving a Chevy, where he had most of his success.
He had been working on plans to develop his own race team, and indeed that may begin in 2009. Rather Stewart is with them is yet to be seen.
Tony Stewart may be teaming up with Jeff Gordon and Hendricks Motorsports
Gibbs may opt to make sure Stewart honors his contract through 2009. But that’s looking more and more like it’s not going to happen.
Stewart is obviously intrigued by the recent announcement that Hendricks Motorsports and Casey Mears are parting ways at the end of the season.
“You’ve got to be,” he was quoted as saying when asked about his interest.
Stewart to Hendricks? It’s looking more and more like a strong possibility every moment. Imagine Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Stewart on the same team. That’s four of the most popular driver on the circuit together. Sponsors would be knocking down the door to get a piece of the action.
And it makes sense that he might join. Stewart and Jr. are good friends. Stewart once had a nice rivalry with Gordon, but now the two have done charity events together and get along fine. It would put Stewart back in a Chevy, where he dominates. And all four, despite being stars in their own right, would be like the Boston Celtics trio of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen…nearly unstoppable together for the good of the team.
Would Joe Gibbs release him? In a heartbeat. Gibbs no doubt likes having Stewart and his popularity on his team, but Gibbs also has the hottest young driver in the sport ready to make his debut in Joey Lagano. Lagano will be driving in the Sprint Cup Series next season. He was probably just going to join Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch on the team, but he’d immediately be the star. Think Stewart would play second fiddle to an 18-year old? He won’t mind so much playing second fiddle to a group of established drivers at Hendricks though. But if he stays at Gibbs, it will be miserable for all involved, so expect to see Stewart pick up the No. 5 ride at Hendricks.
The only issues are going to be sponsorships. Johnson drives for Lowe’s, Home Depot’s top rival, and Gordon, of course is a Pepsi Driver, a top rival of Stewart’s coke sponsorship. But I think Stewart will survive just fine.
| 87 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
