Bodog Beat

Tony Stewart is leaving Gibbs Racing. (AP Images)

A two time champion has walked away.

Tony Stewart, twice a NASCAR champion, is expected to be released from his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing at the end of the season, according to numerous sources.

Stewart's contract runs through the 2009 season, but he was reluctant to commit to the extension Gibbs officials have been pushing for since last summer. He instead explored free agency, where numerous options were presented to Stewart ranging from ownership to seats driving for other top teams.

It is widely speculated that Stewart will ink with the two-car team of Haas-CNC Racing, taking over ownership of the fledgling two-car team.

How will the Stewart news affect the NASCAR landscape? Currently, he's listed at 8/1 to win this weekend's LifeLock.com 400 at the Chicagoland Speedway in Illinois. Get all your NASCAR betting in the Bodog Sportsbook today!