Associated Press

Tony Stewart, who is 11th in points, last won a Cup race in August 2007 at Watkins Glen.

SONOMA, Calif. -- You keep waiting on Tony Stewart and yet there is nothing.

It's like staring into the evening sky on July 4 and seeing no fireworks.

No wins. No tantrums. No decisions.

And maybe no Chase for the two-time champion.

Stewart sizzling in summer is as common as soaring temperatures, but this season is turning into one of those "staycations'' people are taking this year.

Stewart's 10th-place finish Sunday at Infineon Raceway pushed his winless streak to a career-long 30 races, a drought that has the driver testy and his trophy case dusty.

That's not entirely a bad thing. Stewart often is best when trouble bubbles either from lack of success or self-control. He thrives on stress and conflict.

Maybe this cocktail of losing, falling in the points and questions about where he'll race next year can revive a season where he's the only Joe Gibbs Racing driver not to have won a Sprint Cup race.

Ten races remain until the Chase begins, so time remains for a patented Stewart charge.

Races at Daytona, Chicago and Indianapolis approach and he's won at each track within the last two seasons. Yet, the way his year has gone, it's easy to wonder if he's destined to miss the Chase.

How else can it be explained? Stewart has come within six miles of winning NASCAR's two biggest races -- the Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600.

Instead, he lost both, is 11th in the standings and 19 points from falling out of the top 12.

He last won at Watkins Glen in August. Thirteen different drivers have won since. Already, there are thoughts that if Stewart leaves Gibbs' team after this season, he'll be replaced by an 18-year-old. Yes, a good teenager but when do you see someone eligible to vote in his first Presidential election take over for a champion?

Somewhere, somehow Stewart needs a spark.

Maybe it will come from his friend Kevin Harvick. Or is it former friend?

Harvick triggered Stewart's demise Sunday when he spun late in the race. Harvick slid into Jamie McMurray, running third, who ricocheted into Stewart, running second. Their tire smoke created a man-made San Francisco fog bank as they lost several positions.

It's the second time this season Stewart has had contact with Harvick late in a race while in second and lost Stewart several spots. They had a run-in at Bristol in March. Those incidents cost Stewart about 85 points. Add that to his current total and he's ninth in the standings.

Had Stewart's car not suffered a flat tire while leading with three laps left at Charlotte, he would have won there in May and collected about 75 more points. Give him those points and he's sixth in the standings, just ahead of Jeff Gordon.

Stewart's rival has been his opposite this season. Gordon has struggled with his car's handling but when things seem bleak, he's managed a top-10 or even a top-five finish.

It happened again Sunday at Infineon Raceway. Gordon complained about his car and even crew chief Steve Letarte was mystified with the vehicle's stubbornness. Timely cautions and problems to others helped Gordon finish third and climb three spots in the season standings.

While Gordon marveled at his fortune, Stewart stewed about a season slipping away. A few expletives and noticeable frustration laced his radio conversation with his crew after the incident. He said little to reporters after the race.

He's said little since late April about his future with Gibbs. Stewart admitted a couple of months ago he had received offers to drive for other teams although his contract with Gibbs goes through the 2009 season. One offer includes partial ownership in Haas CNC Racing. Where the 37-year-old Stewart goes, though, is a topic of debate in the garage each week.

Team president J.D. Gibbs admitted last weekend that the uncertainty around Stewart's future is "a nuisance'' for all involved. Stewart downplays any impact on his team. Gibbs admits many of Stewart's crew has been hardened by other hardships.

They've had nothing like this. Neither has Stewart. His discontent can only fester so long before something happens.