Is Tony coming back to the Bowtie?

[lsxtvbrad]

We don't really talk much Nascar here, but this seemed so right that we couldn't pass it up. Tony Stewart driving a Toyota just seemed like an unatural change, which was made for him.



Tony has a contract with Joe Gibbs Racing (and Toyota) thru the 2009 season, but is he looking for a way out? We found this on Autoblog giving an interesting conspiracy theory of how Tony is talking to the Haas CNC team about a possible partnership.

I think it is far fetched but I hope it's true, because I think Tony is as American as Baseball and Apple Pie, he shouldn't be behind the wheel of a Toyota.

Recent spots for Armor All that feature NASCAR's perpetually unshaven Tony Stewart almost make one forget what emblem is now placed on the front of his race car. The television commercials show Stewart staring longingly at a shiny Chevrolet Corvette, despite the fact that he now rolls around the track in a bestickered-to-look-like-a Toyota Camry. Even though Stewart's contract with Joe Gibbs racing extends through 2009; rumor has it that he has been in talks with Haas CNC Racing to put him back behind the bowtie logo by next year. The team gets its Chevy engines and race support through Hendrick Motorsports. There is also an indication that Stewart is interested in a 50-percent stake in the Haas CNC team.

A more controlling team role seems like one that would better suit a vocal driver like Tony Stewart, as he would only have himself to yell at after one of his media outbursts. Plus, any problems with team management would be between he and himself. The situation's likelihood is still a bit far fetched at this point though, as Joe Gibbs Racing seems unwavering in releasing Tony Stewart from his contract early.

[Source: Autoblog via Star Tribune, Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty]

[DollaDollaBill]

I certainly hope it's true. Tony belongs behind the Bowtie. If he can't be in a Chevy, then a ford, if not a Ford then a Mopar, if not a Mopar then a Harley... You get the point right!

[powerjames]

All of the bodies look the same now with NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow. And with the engine spec's, they are almost the same. What does it matter what logo is slapped on the hood?

[DollaDollaBill]

I have always wanted to know, at what point is a car a specific brand. Ok, so all of the NASCAR vehicles are Custom cars. very few items on the car is something an everyday driver may see or use in a current production car. So, we then brand the car as a GM, Toyota, Ford... Maybe because it uses some styling cues (body). So basically, if a Ford has an LSX in it does it make it a GM or is it still a Ford?

[powerjames]

Originally Posted by DollaDollaBill

I have always wanted to know, at what point is a car a specific brand. Ok, so all of the NASCAR vehicles are Custom cars. very few items on the car is something an everyday driver may see or use in a current production car. So, we then brand the car as a GM, Toyota, Ford... Maybe because it uses some styling cues (body). So basically, if a Ford has an LSX in it does it make it a GM or is it still a Ford?

Well, the problem is that NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow is a template car. That means they are totally generic. There are no styling cues. NASCAR even has part of the same problem with the engine combination.