Arianne:  In a perfect world, every professional athlete's contract would be between the athlete and his/her team owner.  For as long as I can remember, this has not been the case for professional sports.  Even NASCAR has faded away from the hand-shakes that used to seal the deal for a driver's future with more and more sports agents dipping into the NASCAR bowl of chips.  There are very few drivers/race teams that can handle the pressures of an early departure announcement.  Kyle Busch was able to succeed under such circumstances and Tony Stewart will do the same.  Adversity has always equaled more horsepower for the #20 team.  However, I do not agree with mid-season departures.  In my opinion, the process implies disrespect for everyone involved.  As for the media, they are simply doing their jobs. As with any other controversial subject, the media will thrive on any personal information about a driver or team personnel.  Whether it's divorce, plastic surgery or contract negotiations; the media will always answer the call.  In many cases, drivers use this to their advantage.  Dale Jr did it last year and apparently Tony Stewart is doing it this year.

Kimmie:  Contracts are private things between the parties involved.  However, many fans want every bit of information about drivers, especially those they love and those they love to hate.  The media steps in, and the next thing we have is report after report of speculation. While I understand and believe in freedom of the press, we often take some subjects too far while ignoring others.  

The racing community also has a grapevine the Napa Valley would envy.  Rumors start, get repeated, then reported and people get hurt.  Team members get barraged by fact seekers and necessary pressure gets added.  The season is hard enough without all of that.

Brianna:  Tony, like all the other drivers, understands that they are in the public eye day in and day out.  WE the media want a story and we want one really badly.  Often times, in cases like this situation with Tony, WE make ASSUMPTIONS and when WE ASSUME. That makes a %&# out of YOU and ME.  But as journalists, does it really matter what we think?  WE think and then write what the reader wants to hear.  SOME OF US that is.  I want the facts and then we can report on that.  Then we can ASSUME.  And is the driver distracted and is the team concerned... you bet your %&#.

Heather: No, I don't believe driver's contracts are anyone's business but the team owner and the driver. I truly believe as more scrutiny is placed on the situation, it makes it harder to function well for the team. They're constantly in the eye, and probably aren't able to get their job done. Case in point -- when Dale Earnhardt, Jr. announced he would not return to the #8 for DEI, everyone went crazy! That was all you heard anywhere you turned. It had to be tough for the guys on the team.  I think it's important for the media to report the story, but they shouldn't dwell on it.