NASCAR NOTEBOOK | From Pocono Raceway

Future move? Tony Stewart's supposed negotiation for a new ride with Chip Ganassi is either the worst-kept secret or the best-circulated rumor in recent NASCAR history. The Winston Cup champion has another year remaining on his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing and is reportedly talking to Ganassi about making a move. "I've been gone for 31/2 weeks and I haven't been talking to anybody," Stewart said. "But I hear the rumors. I've started actually reading the papers again because it's been fun to read what they watch." Stewart, who has had several run-ins and periods of silence with the media, decided to have little fun Friday at Pocono Raceway. Alluding to the hoopla surrounding Toyota's anticipated entry into NASCAR, he said there could be a big change in store for him. "We're going to start a rumor this week that we're going to become the factory team for KIA," he said with a laugh. "We're going to drive a factory KIA car in 2005." Toyota is expected to be ready to enter the Craftsman Truck series next year, with an eye toward Winston Cup. It would be considerably easier at the outset if the Japanese automaker recruited one of the sport's biggest stars -- Stewart, four-time series champion Jeff Gordon or Dale Earnhardt Jr. Stewart is ready. "But I don't know who's going to be the car owner on that deal yet," he said. "Yeah, KIA's calling us." Ganassi has not commented on the reports other than to say any owner would have to pay attention if a series champion became available.
Historic color scheme: NASCAR Iron man Ricky Rudd will become the first driver in Winston Cup history to participate in 700 consecutive races when he takes the green flag Sunday at Pocono Raceway. He'll do it in a Wood Brothers Ford with a special paint scheme -- yellow, green and red with a blue flame streak on the hood -- from the imagination of his 8-year-old son Landon. The color scheme surprised Rudd's wife, Linda. "When Motorcraft presented this idea to us, I was sure that the car would be black," she said. "Landon's favorite color is black, but when he draws he usually likes to use a lot of colors." Landon's father didn't know about the special paint scheme until earlier this week. "Landon worked on the design when Ricky was on the race track or out of the house on business so that we could keep it a secret until the car was unveiled," Linda said. Rudd began the streak on Jan. 11, 1981, at Riverside International Raceway. He broke Terry Labonte's record of 655 consecutive starts on May 26, 2002, at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Ephedra problem: NASCAR is aware of the problems created by the use of ephedra, and is following the government's action closely. Washington is considering banning ephedra, an herbal stimulant used in dietary supplements that has been linked to scores of deaths and a myriad of health problems. NASCAR president Mike Helton, who testified earlier this week in Congress, said Friday that the sanctioning body has advised all personnel connected with the sport to seek guidance from physicians before using any product labeled as containing the supplement.