Joe Gibbs Racing signs Stewart through 2009

DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) -- Winston Cup champion Tony Stewart ended speculation about his future by agreeing Thursday to a five-year contract extension that will keep him with Joe Gibbs Racing through 2009.

	Tony Stewart

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"I'm happy to have all of this worked out," said Stewart, who races Sunday in the Southern 500. "Joe Gibbs and everyone associated with Joe Gibbs Racing have been very good to me in the seven years I've been here.

"They've always given me everything I need out on the race track, and they've always been there to support me off the track as well."

Stewart has had problems controlling his temper, and finished his championship season on probation after a series of off-track issues. But this has been a tranquil year for him even though he has just one victory and is 11th in points.

The 32-year-old driver, who had a year remaining on his contract with Gibbs, had been considering a move to Chip Ganassi's Dodge team and had been given a deadline of last Friday.

"We gave him an offer," Ganassi said. "The deadline came and went, and a few days later he re-signed with Gibbs."

The automaker also had been involved in discussions, but Stewart said duplicating the Gibbs' record would be difficult.

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"Our record of success is pretty impressive," Stewart said. "You don't just walk away from that. I did have some very flattering offers, and it felt good to be a wanted man, but Joe Gibbs Racing and Home Depot wanted me, too."

Gibbs also has been negotiating for an extension with Home Depot _ Stewart's sponsor since his record-setting 1999 rookie season _ and crew chief Greg Zipadelli.

The car owner re-signed Stewart's teammate, 2000 champion Bobby Labonte, earlier this season.

Stewart has driven for Gibbs since 1997, when he raced part-time in the NASCAR Busch series while running a full-time IRL schedule and winning that series championship. Stewart ran 22 Busch races in 1998 while completing the final year of his commitment in the IRL.

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In 1999, he won three races and finished fourth in points -- both Winston Cup rookie records. He now has 16 wins, seven poles, 61 top-fives and 97 top-10s in 164 career Winston Cup starts heading into Sunday's event at Darlington Raceway.

Stewart has been especially close to Zipadelli, his only Winston Cup crew chief. The driver believes the Chevrolet team should continue its winning ways for years to come.

Gibbs, who coached the Washington Redskins to three Super Bowl titles before retiring to run his NASCAR teams, was delighted to have Stewart in the fold.

"Along with Home Depot, he's been an important part of our organization for a number of years, and we're thankful that's going to continue," Gibbs said.