Has there been any talk about Stewart leaving Gibbs "EARLY" so he can go work on his new team for next year?

Question

Has there been any talk about Stewart leaving Gibbs "EARLY" so he can go work on his new team for next year?

Answer 1

He's  too much of professional to that.

Answer 2

not anything "official" i've heard, but i did hear a couple of commentators mention that if by some chance tony didn't make the chase, it might be in the best interest of both parties (tony and jgr) for them to let him go early.

tony could then go to haas/cnc and start working on the teams sooner rather than later. more importantly, he could start racing the cars and hopefully move at least one of them into the top 35 by the end of the year. then next year, he could put his teammate in that car for the first 5 races, and he could run in the other car, as he would have the most recent "past champion's provisional" to fall back on should he not qualify for a race on time (like kurt busch did this year after the "points swap" between the #2 and the #77).

jgr would benefit as they could go ahead and put their new driver for the #20 (probably logano, who they have said they would like to run a couple of cup races this year) into the car, and get him and his new team a jump on working together for next year.

that was just conjecture, but a pretty good idea should tony not make the chase. unfortunately, it does make one wonder if tony's thought that through as well with regards to making the chase this year. personally, i think he's a class act and too much of a competitor to sandbag his way out of the chase for any reason. i think he'll push hard to be in the chase and for a third championship to close out his time with the #20 team and jgr.

Answer 3

Not at all, that's not even a though with them being Chase contenders.

Answer 4

That'll more likely happen if Tony didn't make the Chase. But nothing has been confirmed. I guess we'll see around the Chase

Answer 5

Well I think to look at it from Tonys point of view...would he break his contract with Gibbs to finish out the year to work on his own team?  

I think if he doesn't make the chase...he may just throw in the towel and concentrate on the new team.  I would hate to see it though.  I would love to see Tony finish this out chase or no.  I just enjoy watching the man race.

Answer 6

if he dont make the chase

Answer 7

No he said all of his attention is on the #20 Home Depot team for the rest of this year, he will do his best and then leave for Stewart/Haas Racing next year.

Answer 8

it's signed sealed delivered and it's HIS...

own racing team.. Stewart=Haas Racing.

"early release".. nah..

Joe Gibbs racing proved how committed they are to loyalty.

rumor had it "tony was going to get junk cars for the end of the season"

not so in the last performances... JGR is committed and would like to see smoke get one more champ title with them..

ofcourse he has recourse #2 ole Rowdy.

kudos to both parties.. smoke and JGR.. for an admiral and professional parting of ways.. both characters speak.

"early release" means in this instance..

"if you love something..let it go" and tony does not forget his roots and where he comes from.. both parties are

"departing" and wishes well. it's bittersweet