| Tony Stewart's contract discussions have grabbed | | | | through 2010. So with Denny Hamlin also in the fold, |
| racing headlines since Danica-mania settled down, | | | | he should probably ease up on his demands. As the |
| giving the hottest driver in NASCAR second-billing as | | | | third wheel at JGR, Hamlin prefers Busch's helpful |
| Terrible Tony looks to the future before improving | | | | approach to Stewart's more aloof manners and |
| on the present. Stewart had been with Joe Gibbs | | | | detached habits, making the brash 23-year-old the |
| Racing for nine seasons and 32 wins entering 2008, | | | | new leader in the garage in one respect. As it stands, |
| with Cup championships in '02 and '05, but the new | | | | "Smoke" seems to have lost some prestige and sizzle |
| kid appears to be taking over. | | | | and may be reviewing offers from other employers |
| Kyle Busch, Stewart's new teammate at JGR, has | | | | to regain his top dog status. |
| more than Dale Earnhardt Jr. to upstage after his | | | | Other factors are allegedly involved in Stewart's |
| brusque removal last year from Hendrick | | | | latest distraction: he reportedly prefers his old |
| Motorsports. Busch is now JGR's flagship driver with | | | | Chevrolet to the Toyotas he and his teammates |
| seven total wins in '08 on a variety of tracks | | | | have been racing well, and the prospect of |
| covering three circuits. He has hovered near the top | | | | part-ownership has revved his sudden interest. |
| of the standings in each series and has a realistic | | | | According to SI.com, his next ride has already been |
| chance to be the first NASCAR driver to win at least | | | | determined-in a Haas/CNC Racing Chevy in '09. |
| two championships in a single year-with three not out | | | | chimes in that he will receive a minimum 50 percent |
| of the question. Were it not for unexpected | | | | ownership with Haas/CNC next year, meaning he'll be |
| mechanical difficulties at three tracks, Busch's '08 | | | | released from his current contract at the end of this |
| numbers would be even more impressive. | | | | season, a development he has flatly denied asking |
| Stewart has matched Busch with three wins in the | | | | for. |
| Nationwide Series but does not race in the Craftsman | | | | Pairing high strung drivers with a history of hot |
| Truck Series. He's had a string of bad luck in the | | | | emotions on the same team was a risky move for |
| top-tier Sprint Cup Series, often of his own making. | | | | Joe Gibbs. No problems have been reported, but |
| At Talladega, the No. 18 Camry driven by Busch | | | | Stewart's sudden interest in an early departure has |
| made the right moves while the bright orange No. 20 | | | | triggered discussions on whether two ships can carry |
| wrecked away any chance of victory (Busch won, | | | | the same banner. Unless Busch begins to slow down |
| Stewart finished 38th) after leading a race-high 61 | | | | and Stewart starts to accelerate, perceived bad |
| laps. Meanwhile, Rowdy is leaving his heralded | | | | chemistry could be the root cause of Tony's sudden |
| teammate in the dust and has surpassed anything | | | | longings. |
| Junior or anyone else at Hendrick Motorsports has | | | | Stewart has stirred the pot and been a media |
| done this season. And he doesn't seem to be slowing | | | | magnet since his early days. Busch is becoming a |
| down. | | | | favorite interview and looks comfortable behind the |
| If Stewart wants negotiating leverage with Joe | | | | microphone. He's enjoying the attention, and Smoke |
| Gibbs-his pact doesn't expire until the end of '09-he is | | | | may have found a way to get it back. |
| all too aware that Gibbs has Busch signed and sealed | | | | |