Philadelphia, PA (Best E Casino) - Apparently, Tony Stewart has reached the proverbial fork in the road, and has some interesting decisions to make concerning his future in racing.

Stewart could certainly stay at Joe Gibbs Racing, where his contract isn't up until 2009. Team President J.D. Gibbs would like to keep the two-time Sprint Cup Series champion in the fold along with youngsters Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin. The team is working well and Gibbs would be foolish to break it up.

But Stewart might be seeking ownership in addition to driving, and that isn't likely to happen at JGR.

"Right now, probably not ownership of Joe Gibbs Racing," said J.D. Gibbs of Stewart's prospects with the Gibbs team on Sunday. "I think our deal is kind of set the way it is."

If Stewart really is looking for ownership - and it seems that he is based on the fact that he now owns various short tracks along with World of Outlaw and USAC teams - he will have to look elsewhere.

But there are plenty of options for Stewart.

Haas CNC Racing has reportedly offered Stewart a package that would include both driving and owning. Though the team isn't currently one of the "big" teams in NASCAR, it does use Hendrick Motorsports engines so power wouldn't be an issue.

Also, Boris Said went on the air last week and immediately offered "Smoke" a piece of his No Fear Racing team.

But a more interesting idea seems to have surfaced in the last few days - Stewart and Kevin Harvick in a joint venture.

Kevin and Delana Harvick already own a truck team that won last year's championship with Ron Hornaday Jr. at the wheel, and a Nationwide team that Stewart has driven for in the past. Harvick's contract at Richard Childress Racing is also up at the end of the 2009 season.

Harvick and Stewart are good friends and one could easily see them as teammates and partners. It would certainly make for a formidable lineup.

As drivers they own one IndyCar Series title (Stewart - 1997), two Nationwide Series titles (Harvick - 2001, 2006), two Sprint Cup Series titles (Stewart - 2002, 2005) and a Daytona 500 victory (Harvick - 2007).

Individually, they have been very good as owners too. Stewart's teams have won a World of Outlaws title (2003), three Silver Crown division titles (2002-2004) and two National Sprint Car Series titles. Kevin and Delana won last year's Craftsman Truck Series title, and this year Harvick won a Nationwide Series race for the first time in his own vehicle.

As Captain Renault (Claude Rains) said to Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) in an oft-misquoted line from the movie classic, Casablanca - "This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."