Report: Stewart wants out at Gibbs Racing

BRISTOL, Conn., April 24 (UPI) -- NASCAR racing star Tony Stewart is pondering leaving Joe Gibbs Racing to start his own team.

An ESPN.com report late Wednesday said Stewart is "intrigued" by the prospect of owning his own team.

The report also said that multiple sources say Stewart told Gibbs officials that he'd like to be released from the final year of his contract, which expires at the end of the 2009 season.

"He definitely has some options," JGR President J.D. Gibbs said. "To me it's no different than any of the options he's had before. The reality is he's racing here through 2009. Our stance is he's racing for us through 2009."

Stewart was NASCAR's rookie of the year in 1999 and won the points championship in 2002 and '05.

He has been unavailable for comment.