Tony Stewart leaving Gibbs for Haas CNC.

Tony Stewart has always talked about wanting to be an owner someday. He is going to get his chance now. Today Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Stewart had informed them this morning that he was leaving the team after this season. Stewart had one more year on his contract, which would have kept in a Gibbs car through 2009, but Joe Gibbs Racing allowed him to get out of his contract following this season to pursue his dream. J.D. Gibbs was quoted as saying "While this moment is bittersweet, we are parting on good terms and we know that each of us has benefited greatly from the other."

Stewart has been a driver in the Sprint Cup Series for Joe Gibbs racing since 1999. He has won two championships with the team. Stewart's move will also end the longest driver and crew chief relationship of any Nascar team, as his crew chief Greg Zipadelli intends to stay with Gibbs.

Sources close to the deal say that Stewart left the team for Haas/CNC Racing primarily because he will become a part owner. Stewart will own 50% of the team which will be called Stewart Haas Racing. This deal was very attractive to Stewart because he is taking ownership in a racing team that is already fully functional rather than starting from scratch. ESPN has reported that Stewart already has major sponsors in line for next season including Office Depot and Old Spice. Ryan Newman is reported to be the top candidate to become the second driver at Stewart Haas Racing next season. Newman currently drives for Roger Penske.

What will this move mean for Nascar as a whole? If Stewart is successful in this venture I think it is likely we will see more top notch drivers wanting to own and drive for a team, but if he is unsuccesful it might make many have second thoughts. Stewart is certainly sticking his neck out there with this move, can he make it work?