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Tony Stewart: I'm interested in the No. 5 car

By SceneDaily Staff

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Article Rating: 3.9
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Rusty Jarrett / Getty Images for NASCAR

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LOUDON, N.H. – Tony Stewart proclaimed his interest Friday in Hendrick Motorsports’ soon-to-be-vacated No. 5 Chevrolet, saying the removal of Casey Mears from that ride could alter his plans for 2009 and beyond.
 
Stewart has another year left on his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing but has expressed interest in partial ownership of another team. Reports have said the deal is done, with sponsors and drivers named.
 
But Stewart said that wasn’t the case, joking at New Hampshire Motor Speedway that there are some teams he has yet to talk to.
 
“I’ve still got two ARCA teams I’m talking to, a truck team and now the 5 car’s available,” Stewart said. “I’ve still got a lot of work to do.”
 
But Stewart wasn’t joking when asked if Hendrick’s No. 5 would be something he would be interested in.
 
“Absolutely, absolutely,” Stewart said. “You’ve got to. There’s nobody in this garage area that’s not going to look in that direction. You’ve got to look at that.”
 
The open seat could postpone any announcement involving his future, Stewart said.
 
“After today’s announcement, I don’t know, it may be pushed back even more now,” Stewart said. “We’ll wait and see. It’s however long it takes to make the right decision.”
 
Stewart dismissed reports about possible sponsors moving to Haas CNC Racing, where Stewart would supposedly go after buying into the team.
 
“I don’t even know who I’m driving for yet,” Stewart said. “It’s kind of hard to pick a sponsor when you don’t know who you’re driving for yet, don’t you think? It’s kind of like, which comes first, the chicken or the egg?”
 
And, of course, Stewart could remain with JGR. He is under contract with that team through 2009.
 
“There’s a lot of variables to look at still,” Stewart said. “We’ve got all the information, except for what’s happening today. The good news is we’ve got time to look. We’re going to have to make a decision at some point.”

Average Rating: 3.9

Comments

30 responses to "Tony Stewart: I'm interested in the No. 5 car"
  1. 1
    Gail Sieck said:
    Jun 27, 2008 at 6:09 PM

    No matter what team Tony goes to or buys into I will always be a fan. I'm not surprised that he has all sorts of opportunities but in a way I hope he finds a better choice than Hendricks Motorsports.

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  2. 2
    Gail Sieck said:
    Jun 27, 2008 at 6:20 PM

    Don't do it Tony, you have better choices

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  3. 3
    Norman . said:
    Jun 27, 2008 at 11:11 PM

    Good Lord, I hope not... Hendrick doesn't need a hot headed cry baby on it's team..

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  4. 4
    Chrissie Bennett said:
    Jun 27, 2008 at 11:17 PM

    What is wrong with Hendrick Motorsports Gail? Norman I know Tony Stewart use to be a cry baby but that's Kyle Busch's job now.

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  5. 5
    Anonymous said:
    Jun 28, 2008 at 3:46 AM

    Norman....they already have that. They have Junior! What they need is someone with a personality - someone like Tony. But I hope he doesn't go there. He'd have to shave every day and speak like a robot. Sharon

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  6. 6
    Buddy Graham said:
    Jun 28, 2008 at 4:14 AM

    Wonder if that reporter's leg is sore from being yanked that hard. Great cover story, now he can do what he wants to for awhile anyhow.

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  7. 7
    anonymous said:
    Jun 28, 2008 at 6:05 AM

    Hot Headed Crybaby - Junior?? Who wrecks their cars, throws tantrums and leaves the track before the car is fixed?? KB. Who sticks around after their car is wrecked beyond repair at the same track and jumps into the car that has been fixed but the Hot Headed Crybaby driver, KB, has left the track. Junior!! I say, Go to Hendrick Tony. Get away from the rice burners and back into a Chevy.

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  8. 8
    Chrissie Bennett said:
    Jun 28, 2008 at 6:49 AM

    Sharon Junior is NOT a hot headed crybaby he has never cried about anything. I think you have him mixed up with Kyle Busch he cries about every little thing. No one at Hendrick Motorsports speaks like a robot. I don't think you even know what your talking about.

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  9. 9
    Chrissie Bennett said:
    Jun 28, 2008 at 6:53 AM

    Sharon Junior is NOT a hot headed crybaby he has never cried about anything. I think you have him mixed up with Kyle Busch he cries about every little thing. No one at Hendrick Motorsports speaks like a robot. I don't think you even know what your talking about.

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  10. 10
    Flying Squirrel said:
    Jun 28, 2008 at 7:13 AM

    Why would Rick want such an ungrateful guy like Tony? Joe Gibbs made him the anchor of his team, provided him a top-tier sponsor & amazing team/crew...and all Tony does is open up to the media about everything else he's going to do & is interested in except the team that has given him so much. I'm not a big Jr. fan, but he got screwed at DEI & had a real reason to want to move on. What's been so bad for Smoke at JGR that he's being so inconsiderate about a move?

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  11. 11
    said:
    Jun 28, 2008 at 8:21 AM

    Well just look at the tire deal. Someone had to have the guts to stand up and now the tire thing is unheard of. Don't confuse the issues with crying.

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  12. 12
    Tsfanpc Tsfan pc said:
    Jun 28, 2008 at 2:12 PM

    Why in the world would Tony want to leave a team he has had 10 successful years with. To move to a team that has not performed in all the years that it has been inexistance. Smoke if you are a smart man, you will stay put. And retire with the team that has helped make you a household name in Cup

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  13. 13
    Jennifer Nelsen said:
    Jun 28, 2008 at 4:35 PM

    I am sad that Casey is not driving the 5 anymore. What can he do when Hendrick would not give him the good cars that his teammates have. Casey is a great driver. Why would Tony leave Gibbs any way?

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  14. 14
    Bill Haydis said:
    Jun 29, 2008 at 5:12 AM

    Tony's leaving JGR because JG and JD don't want to give him part ownership of the team. Hendrick is perfect for Tony as Rick is totally okay with part ownership of the team. Tony's also hates driving a Toyota and wants back in a Chevy, which is a partner on all the other teams he owns. I can't blame him for leaving, and hope to see him at anyplace but Haas CNC. Hendrick would be perfect, but so would RCR (which hasn't been mentioned).

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  15. 15
    Anonymous said:
    Jun 29, 2008 at 6:42 AM

    To all calling Junior a crybaby need to get the facts straight.KB is the one and also KB used to drive the #5 car and won races so its not the car or the team-its the Driver.I am a big fan of Junior,I also like J.Johnson and Tony but better when he is in a Chevy and I beleive it would be a great move for Tony if he went to Hendrick Motor Sports and if not that-then RCR..........

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  16. 16
    emily bagwell said:
    Jun 29, 2008 at 10:29 AM

    It doesn't matter what the article is---some always have to bring Junior in the mix--obviously Sharon has Junior mixed up with some other driver. Chrissie, I always depend on you to say the right things to keep me from trying to say them--keep up the good work!! I have flamblasted Tony a lot over the years, but he has surely added color to the sport. You have to put time between his wrecking your driver and making his cocky remarks, and then you can at least tolerate him a little. I just can't figure out what has been wrong with him lately.I surely admire him for leaving Toyota and going back to a good ole Chevy if that is what he is going to do. Anyway, he's the star and it's his decision to make so all of this is a moot point anyway.Maybe Tony is tired of KB getting by with things he got reprimanded for.Whatever he does has nothing to do with Junior so leave him out of the mix.

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  17. 17
    Anonymous said:
    Jun 29, 2008 at 5:28 PM

    LOL at people calling Smoke whiny, have ya listened to GORDON? And wherever Tony goes I'll follow! He has driven to the front week after week, just to have several misfortunes thus far, he outta be whining MORE!!!!

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  18. 18
    betty thompson said:
    Jun 29, 2008 at 6:36 PM

    i think that rick hendrick should make tony an offer that he cant refuse..with jeff, jr and tony wow that would be hard to beat..

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  19. 19
    melisa said:
    Jun 30, 2008 at 8:26 AM

    I think the hendrick team doesn't need Tony he wouldn't fit in with the others. hes to much of a hothead. Thats why Kyle didn't fit in. He'd be better off somewhere he can be the center of attention. Since he craves it. Thats why hes going to take his time deciding where to go. Hes getting his attention that away cause he can'y do it on the track lately. And everyone putting junior down you need to get your facts straight. He has whined about anything at all.

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  20. 20
    Angie Martin said:
    Jun 30, 2008 at 10:16 AM

    Tony PLEASE don't go to Hendrick! I'm not sure I could stand that! I think that Gibbs and HomeDepot should sign you to a lifetime contract you are the cornerstone of their program. Just wouldn't seem right not to see you in the big orange #20 running for Coach Gibbs!

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  21. 21
    Worm Dirt said:
    Jun 30, 2008 at 1:23 PM

    All of the rumors are EXTRA FUNNY when you actually know the TRUTH!... I happened to be in a bar in Pyongyang South Korea a few weeks ago when, to my surprise, I was seated next to Tony Stewart and 3 Korean businessmen. I'll admit to being slightly hopped-up on Yakju and rice beer, but.. I can CONFIRM the following!!.... Tony WILL BE driving the '#69 Hyundai Elantra' for SGR (Stewart-Gyeongbokgung Racing) next year. You heard it here first...

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  22. 22
    emily bagwell said:
    Jul 1, 2008 at 4:13 PM

    Worm, You ain't right, you just ain't right!

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  23. 23
    Pam said:
    Jul 2, 2008 at 12:28 PM

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...don't go there Tony. You'd never fit in the refined robot category that Hendrick has created. We love you as you are and you'll never be happy as a Hendrick robot. I hope you stay with JGR or if you have to move on...I hope you find a better option than Hendrick Land!

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  24. 24
    Jayne Deere said:
    Jul 2, 2008 at 5:41 PM

    Amen to that Pam! Tony would suffocate at Hendrick Motorsports. I am confident that he will make the decision that is best for him.

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  25. 25
    Mary Ann Donaghy said:
    Jul 3, 2008 at 11:02 AM

    If the offer is put on the table and Tony likes the offer, I'm sure any personality differences would be worked out. Besides, he & Jr are friends already. I don't think the others will mind if a good driver joins the team. It can only help.

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  26. 26
    jerry swiatek said:
    Jul 5, 2008 at 12:19 PM

    Tony has ties with chevrolet, also with his sprint cars, and just wants in one somehow

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  27. 27
    Jeane Busby said:
    Jul 6, 2008 at 5:35 AM

    THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED ABOUT TONY DRIVING THE #5 FOR HENDRICKS MOTORSPORTS AS THE #5 WILL BE DRIVEN BY MARK MARTIN AND HE WILL BE AN ASSET TO THE HENDRICKS TEAM..

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  28. 28
    Anonymous said:
    Jul 6, 2008 at 11:27 AM

    Don't think the problem will be solved by putting Mark Martin in the #5 car. I am so tired of him saying "I'm retiring", then running to any team that will give him a ride. This has been going on for 3 years now and he has had the best of the best in cars and sponsors and hasn't proven that he is getting any better. It's just time for him to hang it up!

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  29. 29
    Nancy Means said:
    Jul 7, 2008 at 1:14 AM

    It is all about marketability. JGR has embraced the young guns and is promoting Joey Logano. I predict he is also forecast for the #20 seat. I, too, will hate not seeing Tony in the #20. However, I am disgusted that the attention has turned to the other drivers. No one, including Kyle Busch, can outdrive Tony. I hope he becomes an owner, driver and takes Greg Zippadelli and the #20 team with him.

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  30. 30
    Dottie Bell said:
    Jul 7, 2008 at 9:55 PM

    Tony is not happy driving a Toyota, he's a Chevy man. I'm so happy he's coming home to Chevy because I'm a Chevy gal and a great Tony Stewart fan. Smoke is a great driver and he speaks his mind whether anyone likes it or not.

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