Smoke Movin'? SI Links Stewart, Haas CNC

Tony Stewart's contract is set to expire in 2009 at Joe Gibbs Racing, and apparently that "bone of contention" -- according to Sports Illustrated -- has shuffled the deck for the two-time Sprint Cup champion.

So much so, in fact, that SI is saying sources have told them that Stewart is already negotiating a contract with Haas CNC Racing. In other words, SI is claiming that Tony Stewart is leaving Joe Gibbs Racing for greener pastures at Haas in 2009:

Sources tell SI.com that Stewart is working on the final stages of a deal to move from Joe Gibbs Racing to Haas CNC next season. Considering the ramifications of such a move, no one's admitting anything quite yet, as you'd expect. When reached for comment, Haas CNC Racing spokesman Ron Mench claims there's been no communication between Stewart and the organization. Stewart's PR spokesman Mike Arning was noncommittal ("I've heard what you've heard," when asked about Haas CNC) but he reminded SI that Stewart's contract with Gibbs runs through the 2009 season.

"Noncommittal" is not a word that I'd want to be hearing if I were a Tony Stewart or Joe Gibbs Racing fan. "Noncommittal" seems to always mean that something other than what was anticipated is in the works.

Yes, my friends, Tony Stewart's contract has officially become a major issue for the Sprint Cup garage to handle heading to Talladega Superspeedway for Sunday's race.

But does this report really mean anything? You can bet we'll find out -- either solidly or with body language -- this weekend at Talladega. Stewart, who has started driving Toyotas in 2008 after JGR's switch from Chevrolet, has been decidedly against discussing any contract concerns with the media.

Perhaps there was a reason behind that?

What say you? Is Tony movin' or stayin'? Would Haas (with its Hendrick Motorsports support) be a good fit for Stewart?

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