WINSTON CUP Stewart's contract could be side issue

The feisty driver has his sights on winning the Brickyard 400.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
DALLAS -- It seems every time Tony Stewart returns to his favorite speedway, a little extra drama comes with him.
Last year at Indianapolis it was his temper; this year it's his contract.
The Brickyard 400 is the NASCAR race Stewart wants to win more than any other. He just wishes he could try to win it without any side issues getting in the way.
Rumors persist that the defending Winston Cup champion will leave Joe Gibbs Racing and sign with Chip Ganassi's team. Stewart continues to insist the rumors are overblown.
"I saw Chip last week at the track and said 'Hi' when he walked by," Stewart said. "Other than that, I haven't talked to Chip that much. Everyone is making this a bigger deal than I have. It's not a real pressing issue for me."
An official for Chip Ganassi Racing said Tuesday that Ganassi had no comment on the Stewart situation.
One more year
Stewart has a year remaining on this contract with Gibbs, but a report this week said Target and Dodge are aggressively trying to sway Stewart to join Ganassi's operation. Target sponsors Ganassi-owned cars in Winston Cup and the IRL.
The Winston-Salem Journal reported that the Ganassi offer is for five years and more than $45 million. It starts at $5 million for the first year and escalates to $10 for the fifth year, plus bonuses each season for wins and championships.
Stewart said he doesn't think the rumors are a distraction to his team, but crew chief Greg Zipadelli said the team is concerned about it.
"We can only hope and pray that Tony makes the decision to stay with us," said Zipadelli, who recently signed a contract extension with Gibbs. "All the guys are wondering if this can get ironed out. I know I am."
Proposed extension
Bobby Labonte, Gibbs' other driver, recently signed a new contract. Gibbs, who sent a proposal to Stewart for a contract extension, was asked Tuesday what he thinks Stewart will do.
"I don't have the answer," Gibbs said. "We've tried to make our best offer, and we feel good about it. I would expect him to stay here. It's up to us to get something done. I know Greg and the team worry about it, but this is part of pro sports.
"I've learned that the most important thing to drivers is being at a place where they think they can win races. The crew chief also is critical, and we all know how Tony feels about Zippy."
Stewart and Zipadelli have gone through a lot together, including many volatile moments during last year's championship season.
One of those moments came seconds after the 2002 Brickyard 400 when Stewart, who finished 12th, punched photographer Gary Mook in the chest as Mook was trying to take his picture in the garage area.
Stewart later apologized to Mook and the two men became friends. Stewart also sought help from a psychologist for anger management.
Changes
"Gary Mook is a great guy who stood by me," Stewart said, "and I think my actions on and off the track this year prove I've made changes in the way I deal with things. Sometimes when something bad happens, something good comes out of it."
Stewart overcame other temperamental outbursts last year and won his first Cup championship.
It's unlikely he will repeat his title run this year. He ranks 14th in the standings with one victory and nine top-10s in the No. 20 Home Depot Chevy. He is 694 points behind series leader Matt Kenseth.
But Stewart can accomplish the No. 1 goal he has yet to achieve -- winning at Indy.
He dreamed of winning the Indy 500 while growing up 50 miles away, in Columbus, Ind.
The former IRL champion is winless in five Indy 500 starts, and is 0-for-4 in the Brickyard 400.
"Take the one thing in your life that you are the most passionate about," Stewart said. "Apply that feeling to me, and you can understand what winning at The Brickyard 400 means to me. But I only get one chance every 365 days to accomplish that goal."
Stewart, 32, has not raced in the Indy 500 the last two years, opting to concentrate on the Coca-Cola 600 Cup race.
If Stewart signed with Ganassi, he would have the opportunity each year to drive one of Ganassi's IRL cars in the Indy 500. Ganassi driver Scott Dixon leads the IRL points standings and has won three races this season.
"Tony has the same opportunity here," Zipadelli said. "He was told that from Day 1 when he came here. As long as it doesn't get in the way of our Cup effort, we will do whatever we can help him live his dream at Indy, and we stand by that."