Could Indy 500 tempt Gordon, Stewart? (Nope)

Question: With Jeff Gordon heading to the broadcast booth after his retirement from racing, could we see him calling IndyCar races in the future? (Robert, Los Angeles)

Answer: I've received a lot of these questions, particularly since it's become known that Tony Stewart is stepping away from stock car racing, too. The answer is no. Of course, we'd all love to see it happen, but Gordon chose another path in the early 1990s and Stewart left his IndyCar path to follow the stock car dream. Both will be 45 years old next year. I'm certainly not suggesting they couldn't do it; they certainly could, but they're not going to. Stew got five chances at the 500, most recently in 2001 with Chip Ganassi's team when he finished sixth. He started on the pole as a rookie in 1996. He also started on the front row in 1997. He knows he had chances; he'll settle for at least two Brickyard 400 wins.

Question: Any chance you could put a bug in Tony Stewart's ear about getting into some Indy Car team ownership after his retirement? I'm positive he needs to add an Indy 500 win to his resume, even if it is as owner. Jeff Gordon would be welcome in my book also as a team owner. (Steve, Raytown, Mo.)

Answer: No need to put a bug in Stew's ear; it's been there. But he's also maxed out with a NASCAR team, a World of Outlaws team and a USAC team, plus owning Eldora Speedway. But I suppose if the right offer came from Chip Ganassi to share ownership, Stew would jump at it. But he's not starting a team. In case you've forgotten, Stewart was part-owner of Tri-Star Motorsports in the Indy Racing League era. He even drove in the 500 as part of that team. Indy Star http://www.indystar.com/story/curt-cavin/2015/09/29/indycar-q-could-indy-500-tempt-gordon-stewart/73023648/