Gibbs drivers excited about Toyota

Both Stewart and Hamlin have been General Motors drivers since they joined NASCAR through Joe Gibbs Racing and they are expected to become the leading Toyota drivers from next year along with their new teammate Kyle Busch.

Stewart, whose current contract with Joe Gibbs Racing is believed to run until 2009, confirmed he is working on extending it further as he fully backs his team's decision to go switch to Toyota despite their current success with General Motors.

"I'm excited about it," Stewart said. "I feel like the only way that you constantly stay ahead of the game is by putting yourselves in positions to be leaders, not followers. That's why I signed up with Joe Gibbs Racing in the first place and that's why I'm currently looking to extend my contract.

"I've always had the confidence in our program. And like I said, I came here because I felt like this was my best opportunity to win races and championships. I didn't have to be sold on it. I was sold when I signed my first contract with these guys."

Hamlin, who will start his third season with JGR next year also said he is working on an extension, stated that he would like to end his career with them.

The 26-year-old, who is set to fight for the Nextel Cup title for a second year in a row, claimed though that his team will probably need some time to take their new partnership with Toyota to the level of success they have accomplished running Chevrolets.

"I'm in the same boat as [Tony] is working on the contract stuff," said Hamlin. "I feel like Toyota are really going to be winners. We all know they're going to be winners. We know they're going to be champions and hopefully we're the ones to bring them to that level.

"I think Joe Gibbs Racing is more than capable of doing it. We just need a little time to get it all together. So I think things are going to work out in the end, I'm sure. I'm really excited about the future and trying to finish out my career at Joe Gibbs Racing."

JGR will not start building any Toyota cars yet, according the team's president J.D. Gibbs, who said the team would now focus on winning this year's title for General Motors before concentrating technically on their switch for next year.