Associated Press

Kyle Busch holds up a jersey from Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing and coach of the Redskins, during a press conference announcing that Busch will drive the No. 18 Cup car for JGR in 2008.

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. -- Suddenly, coaching the terribly mediocre Washington Redskins doesn't seem so bad.

Joe Gibbs can deal with the pressure following a 5-11 season, while his son, J.D., figures out how to plug Kyle Busch into the family race team. That might not seem too difficult -- the 22-year-old Busch is considered one of the more talented NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers -- but he's had run-ins with future teammate Tony Stewart.

A team that will feature Stewart, Busch and Denny Hamlin next season could be one of the sport's strongest or could implode. Either way, it makes for a good reality TV program (are you listening ESPN or Speed?)

Stewart and Busch have not had any major public issues since last year, but Busch admits "we've had an odd relationship."

Stewart called Busch out at Daytona last year for the youngster's driving. A few weeks later, Busch radioed his crew that Stewart was trying to kill him on the track. Busch said things are fine, but the refrain during Tuesday's announcement that Busch would replace J.J. Yeley next season was how much Busch and Stewart are similar.

"He does really remind me a lot of Tony," says J.D. Gibbs, the team's president.

Both drivers are passionate -- that was the phrase used. They both have run at the front. They both will be in this year's Chase for the Nextel Cup. Stewart has two titles, but Busch's youth and talent lead one to figure he should easily surpass Stewart's total by the time he reaches Stewart's age (36).

That's why so many teams pursued Busch. Well, every one but Hendrick Motorsports, which dumped him for Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Roush Fenway Racing, where car owner Jack Roush remains bitter about Busch leaving for Hendrick.

Busch said Tuesday that his final choice was between Gibbs and Dale Earnhardt Inc.

"Honestly, they were so similar it was really a really hard decision," Busch said at the Gibbs race shop. "With the support of Joe and J.D., I felt maybe a little bit more at home."

Busch made his decision as talk continues in the garage that Joe Gibbs Racing could switch from Chevrolet to Toyota after this season. This is Toyota's first season in Cup and none of its three teams have fared well. It seeks a stronger team to build a better foundation.

Busch admitted he weighed the Toyota talk.

"As I looked at it and thought about it, I'm like, 'Well, Joe Gibbs Racing has done pretty well at what they've done so far and I feel like they'll make the right decision.' "

For Joe Gibbs that is staying with the Redskins. He was not present at Tuesday's announcement but taped a message from training camp for Busch and J.D. Gibbs.

"OK now, let me get this straight," Joe Gibbs said in the message with less than a straight face. "I've been up here sweating my guts out on these fields for the last three years so we could afford Tony and Denny's contract. Now, J.D. has called me and told me I'm going to have to coach the next 10 years to afford Kyle's contract."

Busch signed a three-year deal, but J.D. Gibbs said the team hoped this is Busch's last move in his career. With talks continuing to extend Stewart's contract beyond 2009, Busch and Stewart could be together a long time.