Ganassi eyes NASCAR ace Stewart for Indy 500

Stewart, who is scheduled to race in the Charlotte 600 Winston Cup race on the same day, is hoping to repeat his 1999 feat of competing in both events. The 29-year-old's sponsor, Home Depot, is providing backing to Ganassi's assault on the Brickyard, fuelling speculation that he will be on board.

"I think there is a lot of talk over there," said Stewart's NASCAR team boss Joe Gibbs. "It's hard for me to comment because we are all talking our way through it.

"Right now it's up in the air. I wouldn't say the door is shut. We always know it is a passion for Tony. On the one hand you don't want him to do it, to run all the risks."

Should the deal go ahead for Stewart to race, Team boss Chip Ganassi will either field a third car at Indianapolis or drop one of his Champ Car rookies and team regulars Nicolas Minassian and Bruno Junqueira. Ganassi admits he would prefer the latter option.

"Three cars isn't out of the question," said Ganassi, "but it isn't my preferred option. It's not a done deal. I haven't had a conversation with Tony since Talladega [10 days ago]. I'd like Joe's Blessing."

Former CART champ Jimmy Vasser and Team Kool Green ace Paul Tracy were both in the frame to drive for Ganassi at Indy, but have dropped out of the running.

Vasser, who took the title with Ganassi in 1996, was ruled out of taking the drive by his current CART team boss Pat Patrick, while Tracy's Kool sponsor was not interested in him driving for another team.