Tony Stewart came into this NASCAR weekend with all eyes on him, as rumors continued to circulate throughout the media regarding his status in the no. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing machine next season, despite being under contract until the end of 2009.

He finally gave the writers another context in which to use his name for their headlines on Saturday when he dominated the conclusion of the Camping World RV Sales 200 to earn his fifth Nationwide Series win of the season, despite running in only seven events in the series. The win also continued the stretch of dominance that JGR has had in the Nationwide ranks in 2008, and made Tony the 22nd different winner at New Hampshire in as many races.

On Sunday, things picked right back up where they left off prior to Tony’s Nationwide win when Sirius Radio announced in their pre-race report that Stewart leaving Gibbs at the end of the season was a “done deal.” There have yet to be any solid reports either confirming or denying such statements, but the report seems to have taken much of the focus away from Haas CNC Racing and placed it on Hendrick Motorsports. Apparently, the notion of an all-star cast involving the likes of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Tony Stewart could very well be in the works.

Halfway through Sunday’s Lenox Industrial Tools 301, it appeared as though Smoke had every intention of keeping his name well within the headlines. After starting all the way back in 28th, Tony had made his way up into the top-five a little over 100 laps into the race, and took the lead on lap 142. Stewart then led a race-high 135 laps, and appeared to have his first Cup victory of the season well within his grasp until Mother Nature and Mis-Fortune teamed up to rear their ugly heads at Tony just one more time. Instead of getting the win, Stewart was relegated to a 13th place finish, continuing the same string of bad luck that he’s been faced with all season long.

Hopefully the no. 20 team can get their season back on track and turn things around next week at Daytona – site of the first Tony Stewart fence climb!