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Post Info TOPIC: Newman to join Stewart Haas Racing


Lou Demian - President

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Newman to join Stewart Haas Racing


Newman to join Stewart Haas for 2009 season

Team's official announcement to come Friday at Michigan

By David Caraviello, NASCAR.COM
August 13, 2008
04:04 PM EDT

Ryan Newman's long-anticipated move to Tony Stewart's new race team will become reality at Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR.com has learned. The announcement is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET Friday.

Newman has been seen for some time as the leading candidate to fill the second seat at Stewart-Haas Racing, formed when the two-time NASCAR champion received half of the Haas CNC operation currently competing on the Sprint Cup tour. Stewart, in addition to becoming co-owner, will drive a No. 14 car backed by Office Depot and Old Spice. Newman will drive a No. 4, although the sponsorship is unclear.

Newman parted ways with Penske Racing, his NASCAR home since he first broke into the sport in 2000, on July 15. Although Newman had other options, the 30-year-old reigning Daytona 500 champion chose to ally with Stewart, also from his home state of Indiana.

"Tony's a great competitor in a great many ways, because he's tough, but he's also respectful," Newman said prior to the July 12 race at Chicagoland. "He's been a good friend on and off the racetrack, specifically off. He's done a lot to help me and guide me. He's an Indiana boy, so I have a different respect for him because of that. But in general, he's just a hard-nosed racer, and I've always appreciated him for that. Whether we argue on the racetrack or not, we're two hard-nosed racers."

Newman may have his work cut out for him next year, given that both of the Haas cars are currently outside the top 35 in owner points. If they stay there for the rest of the season, Newman would have to make the first five events of next season on speed. Stewart, as a past series champion, would have an automatic ticket in.

The No. 66 of Scott Riggs, which will become Stewart's No. 14 next year, stands 37th, 31 points out of the top 35. The No. 70, which has been piloted by several drivers this year and will become Newman's No. 4, is 43rd, a distant 526 points behind the cutoff.

 


Should be interesting for both of these guys for the first 5 races of the season when they'll have to qualify on time.

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John Sherman

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Qualifying has never been a concern to Newman. If they can get the mechanical part right it will be a strong team.

-- Edited by Bump and Go Racing at 21:08, 2008-08-14

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Matt Sealey
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Ryan will be okay, he is going to be re-united with Matt Borland over at Stewart/Haas, not to mention they will be using Hendrick motors.

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Leon Baker
5:16 Racing

Cup, Xfinity & Truck Series Driver
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am sure his qualifying prowess had something to do with Tony getting him on board . it has to be a lot easier than taking the Michael Waltrip route to ownership

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Matt Sealey
Former Member


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remember though, Newman's qualifying efforts since being separated with Borland has been highly overrated, he might have two poles since whereas he was getting one a month before.

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Lou Demian - President

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yeah, and speaking of poles.... boy I'm glad I chose Vickers this week!  I was debating between Vickers, Ragan and Truex.  So far so good!

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2005, 2009, 2011, 2016 Xfinity Series Champion

2008 & 2010 Truck Series Champion

2007, 2012 & 2013 Streak to the Finish Champion



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