The AP (4/25, Fryer) reported that Joe Gibbs Racing driver Tony Stweart is considering “several different offers to leave,” some of which “could make him the owner of his own NASCAR team.”  While his current contract has him locked up until 2009, there have been rumors alleging that he is “in negotiations to purchase at least a portion of Haas CNC Racing.”  This, however, is not an unfamiliar story, as similar events occurred in 2003, when Stewart re-signed with Gibbs.  Then, he “was able to leverage several deals — including one from Chip Ganassi — to secure a more lucrative contract with Gibbs.”

The Los Angeles Times (4/25, Peltz) quotes Stewart as saying, “We’ve got multiple offers on the table right now, and there’s a couple in particular that really have caught our interest.”  But, he wouldn’t provide specifics, nor would he rule out returning to Gibbs.  “We haven’t made a 100% decision yet on what we’re going to do, but we’re going to look at all the options,” the two-time Sprint Cup champion said.

“Stewart admitted that prospects are pouring in — one as late as this morning — but insists he will take his time and perform the necessary due diligence before making a decision,” FOX Sports (4/25, Spencer) reports.  He also provide some reassurance “that ‘nothing was broken’ at Joe Gibbs and regardless of the slew of media attention that follows his future, he doesn’t expect it to be a distraction.”

The Winston-Salem Journal (4/25, Mulhern), The Kansas City Star, (4/25, Pedley), ESPN.com (4/25, Newton) also report the story.