Stewart dispels rumors he's looking to leave

JOLIET, Ill. -- Tony Stewart quashed rumors Friday that he was looking for another ride after his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing expires at the end of the 2004 season.

	Tony Stewart

Stewart, the defending NASCAR Winston Cup champion, said he and Gibbs have yet to talk about extending the contract but was hopeful that would happen soon.

Gibbs recently extended the contract of Stewart's teammate, Bobby Labonte, through the 2008 season and has talked with Stewart's crew chief, Greg Zipadelli, about extending Stewart's deal, too.

"My contract is up at the end of next year," Stewart said after winning the pole for Sunday's Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. "Joe's been gone, and I've been gone. I know that he re-signed Bobby already. I know that Greg had talked to me about Joe wanting to re-sign me soon. So I'm sure that'll happen pretty soon."

Stewart was unaware of reports that said he would allegedly leave JGR for a Dodge team, perhaps Chip Ganassi Racing.

"You know why I don't say anything about it, because I don't read the papers any more," Stewart said. "I use them to light my fireplace in the winter. I save them all year long. It makes for real good kindling."

Stewart has been with Gibbs since the driver started in Winston Cup in 1999. Stewart has won 16 races in four-plus years with the team.