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INDIANAPOLIS — Kevin Harvick won't confirm he's returning to Richard Childress Racing, and Brian Vickers says he's looking at all options since Red Bull has yet to present a contract to sign.

What those two do could alter the driver lineup for next season.

A recent report stated that Harvick had asked out of his contract at Richard Childress Racing. Harvick's contract goes through next season. After that report, Childress issued a statement saying that sponsor Shell and Harvick would return to the No. 29 team next year.

Harvick had not publicly discussed his future until Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and even then he left many questions unanswered.

Asked if he had asked out of his contract, Harvick said: "We're focused on this weekend."

Asked about not publicly saying he'll be back at Childress next year, Harvick said: "I'm not going to. We're here to race this weekend and do the best we can and we will continue to do that on a week-to-week basis."

Just as confusing is Vickers' situation. His contract expires after this season. He's been with Red Bull since its inception three years ago and has helped the team make steady progress.

Vickers says he and Red Bull officials have agreed on a contract but he's been waiting weeks to have a copy to sign.

"I'm keeping all my options open at this point," Vickers said. "When they make a decision, they'll let me know."

FAST TIMER: Fifty-year-old Mark Martin became the oldest driver to win the pole for a major event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Martin earned the fourth pole and 45th of his career with a lap of 182.054 mph. Juan Pablo Montoya starts second after a lap of 180.803 mph. Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has suffered from a stomach virus, will start third after a lap of 180.567 mph. Bill Elliott (180.357) and David Reutimann (180.216) complete the top five.

NO PROCEDURE: Jeff Gordon says he won't have a second procedure done on his ailing back.

In mid-May, Gordon had a facet block procedure done. That's where a needle is inserted into the center of the facet joint to inject an anti-inflammatory medication. The facet joints are small stabilizing joints located between and behind adjacent vertebrae.

ALL COOL: Jimmie Johnson said he talked with Kurt Busch on Saturday about their incident at Chicagoland Speedway two weeks ago. Johnson said everything is fine between the two.

JOINING THE CLUB: Denny Hamlin says he'll be a partner in a new restaurant set to open in Charlotte in a few months. The place is called "Butter," the name of a sister restaurant in New York. Earlier this year, Hamlin opened a couple of car washes in Virginia.

PIT STOPS: Ryan Newman was the fastest in practice Saturday with a lap of 176.706 mph. He was followed by Denny Hamlin (176.678 mph), Jimmie Johnson (176.571), Carl Edwards (176.312) and Mark Martin (176.049).

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7062 or dustin.long@news-record.com