A pair of internet reports, citing unnamed sources, say that Tony Stewart is either in talks to leave Joe Gibbs Racing or will leave JGR after this season to become  part owner in Haas-CNC Racing, a move that would return Stewart to the Chevrolet brand and join a team that is affiliated with Hendrick Motorsports.

One report says Stewart is working on the final stages to get out of his contract with JGR. The contract expires after next season.

Another report states that Stewart has begun talks with JGR about leaving. J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing, tells ESPN.com that Stewart "definitely has some options.'' But leaving after this year apparently isn't one of them.

"The reality is he's racing here through 2009,'' Gibbs told ESPN.com. "There's no ifs, ands or buts about that one. Our stance is he's racing for us through 2009."

Stewart has never driven in Cup for anyone other than Gibbs. Stewart moved to Cup in 1999 and won the 2002 and '05 series titles. He has 32 career Cup victories and only once in his career has he finished outside the top 10 in points.

Haas-CNC Racing is a two-car operation that has potential but not shown much. Team owner Gene Haas was sentenced to two years in federal prison in November for tax fraud. His sentence began January 15. Haas-CNC has one car in the top 35 in car owner points and the other outside it heading into this weekend's race at Talladega.

What makes the team attractive is its ties to Hendrick Motorsports, despite the team's woes. It wasn't a coincidence that the team had three top-10 finishes among its two drivers in the first three COT races last year when Hendrick was winning them all. Hendrick provides engines and other technical support. If run properly, this team could be kind of a sleeping giant _ although that would take some work. So far no satellite teams have show a whole lot (Yates with Roush Fenway Racing; Hall of Fame Racing with Joe Gibbs Racing; Haas/CNC with Hendrick; Pettys with Gillett Evernhma; Robby Gordon with Gillett Evernham).