Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Stewart supports Gibbs’ decision to switch to Chevy

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 | 9:39 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

Tony Stewart has been driving Pontiacs since he began his stock-car career in the NASCAR Busch Series in 1996 with team owner Harry Ranier.

But brand loyalty only goes so far with Stewart, who said he was pleased with Winston Cup team owner Joe Gibbs' decision to switch from Pontiac to Chevrolet in 2003.

"I just want what everybody else has," Stewart said. "I don't want to be beat by a rules package. If I'm going to get beat, I want it to be by another driver."

Stewart and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Bobby Labonte are among only five drivers running Pontiac Grand Prixs in Winston Cup this season. Stewart, fifth in points with two wins, said being a part of the larger Chevy family would benefit the team.

"I think being in a larger group, where (Gibbs) can go into the NASCAR hauler and plead our case if it needs pleading, will help because it won't just be Joe. It'll be Richard Childress, Rick Hendrick and DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc.)," Stewart said.

"We've been so good with the Pontiac for so long that we need to find new ways to make ourselves better. Comparing our cars to a bunch of different teams with the same (equipment) should make us a better a race team. As a driver, that's all I'm ever looking for."

Stewart and Labonte -- who won the Winston Cup championship in 2000 in a Pontiac -- tested Pontiacs and Chevrolets Monday and today at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gibbs said the switch to Chevrolet could occur this season if testing shows a dramatic advantage.

"If we feel like at any one point that we would be better off racing (Chevrolets), we may race the Chevrolet at the end of the year. But only if we think it tests better," Gibbs said.

Rudd and Yates made these telling comments during a break in testing Monday at Indianapolis:

Rudd: "When I came in and took the ride at (Yates), I took rookie pay (and) I never complained about a dollar. I made my deal and we lived by it, but it was to get my foot back in the door in good equipment. Money was never an issue there then. ... Robert's issues always seem to come up about money. ... Let me just say that a certain amount of respect I've had for where I am is not quite there anymore."

Yates: "I'd say (the chances of Rudd returning are) slim. I won't say none, but I'd say slim because I think his best situation would be (to go) somewhere that will be very competitive and pay very well."

Rudd is believed to be interested in driving for Chip Ganassi Racing or the new Ford team being formed by Andy Petree and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

There had been rumors that NAPA was seeking a driver change, but NAPA Auto Parts president Steve Handschuh said the overwhelming support of Waltrip's fans -- and a few threats -- ultimately led NAPA to re-sign with Waltrip and DEI.

"It was overwhelming," Handschuh said Waltrip's support. "It gets kind of personal too. Basically (the fans said), 'If you guys don't sign, I'm never coming back to a NAPA store and I'm telling my friends not to come back.' That kind of grassroots effort does make a difference."

Mike Wallace subbed for Benson on Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway and finished 38th. No timetable has been set for Benson's return.