BALTIMORE (Map, News) - NASCAR was buzzing a year ago whether Dale Earnhardt Jr. would stay with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated and get an ownership stake in the company that bares his legendary father’s name or leave for another organization.

This weekend at Talladega — the site of Kyle Busch’s victory at the Aaron’s 499 — another wave of excitement swept through the garage, but this time it was surrounding Tony Stewart.

Stewart announced he had received several offers to drive for other teams, possibly taking him away from Joe Gibbs Racing as early as next season. Now, the questions being asked to the two time champion are very familiar from the ones directed to Earnhardt. But that’s where the similarities end.

Earnhardt left DEI to escape inconsistent performances on the track and an ongoing feud with owner Teresa Earnhardt — his stepmother — behind the scenes. Stewart, however, has enjoyed nothing but success at Joe Gibbs Racing, including two Sprint Cup Championships.

“There’s nothing wrong at Joe Gibbs Racing,” Stewart said. “There’s nothing broke, there’s nothing that needs fixing — no problems there whatsoever.”

So if Stewart has such a high opinion of his current team, why would he want to leave an organization where he has performed so well over the past decade?

Simple: Stewart wants to be an owner.

“There are a couple of groups that have thrown some ownership in the mix,” Stewart said. “What makes this a more difficult decision than in the past is because I have the opportunity to do something I’m passionate about — and that’s still being a part of racing, after [I’m done] racing.”

Ownership of a Sprint Cup team would allow Stewart to continue to be involved in the sport after he is done behind the wheel, but he could end up paying a steep price for the opportunity in on-track performance.

The only ownership offer that has been made public involves Haas/CNC Racing, which runs the No. 66 and No. 70 teams — both of which are outside the top 25 in points. Stewart is ninth in the points standing, 210 behind leader Jeff Gordon.

“I enjoy the challenge of trying to help be a part of something that grows,” Stewart said. “It is very exciting to know there is that opportunity.”

There are, however, other ways Stewart can be involved in ownership without compromising his performance every weekend.

Just look at Jeff Gordon. He worked with Hendrick Motorsports to start Jimmie Johnson’s No. 48 team, and even Earnhardt expanded his JR Motorsports operation in the Nationwide series to include Hendrick’s No. 5 car.

Joe Gibbs Racing said it would be willing to help Stewart pursue his ownership goals, but more importantly, it can offer him continued success behind the wheel.

“All we can focus on is what we can do, and that’s winning races and championships,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “And hopefully, that will be an encouragement to him.”

The offers must look as tempting to Stewart today as they did for Earnhardt a year ago. Earnhardt’s best option was to leave, but Stewart likely will discover that, in the end, the best option for his future is to stay right where he’s always been — with Joe Gibbs Racing.

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