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It was widely rumored that when Tony went to renegotiate his contract the last time, that he told his people something to the effect of, "Figure out how long I have to race to be set for life, make the contract for that length and I will then retire from the Cup series as a full-time driver". So, they came up with a contract through the 2009 season.
I heard rumblings a couple weeks back that he had signed a contract extension through 2012, but from all that is being said, that appears untrue.
So, what's going to happen?
I tell you this, if I am Tony Stewart, I would absolutely be exploring my options outside of JGR right now. I would be holding all the cards in doing so, because when we sit down to re-up, either JGR is going to pay me well above market value to keep my services for a couple more years, or I will simply just move on to a better deal for me. Maybe not financially per se, but in terms of my own happiness, and peace of mind, it would be more lucrative.
Again, if I was Tony, and was at this point as independently wealthy as he is, I would want to own or be a co-owner of my own Cup team (although I would steer clear of the Haas CNC team), so that I could race a limited schedule in the Cup series, continue to be an ambassador to Sprint Cup as a former champion, share in profits of my Cup team, and earn a decent living through competition, souvenir sales, and endorsement deals, all the while gaining my freedom to do the things I love to do...These things include, (but are not limited to) racing midgets, late models, silver crown cars, and sprint cars wherever, and whenever the hell I feel like it. Running Indy Cars when I feel like it, including shifting my focus on trying to win THE race I still covet, the Indianapolis 500. I would want to continue to help build the sport of short track racing with my various racetracks I own or co-own, and I would be looking to further invest in places that can not only help grow the sport, but that I could also benefit from financially, as well. And, I would want more time away from racing to do the things that I love to do outside of the sport. If I own or co-own my own Cup team, I can do just that...
Makes complete sense to me.
DM
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