A news conference held this morning at Michigan International Speedway confirms one of the worst kept secrets of the silly season.
Ryan Newman will be the second driver at Stewart-Haas Racing. His car number will be #4. The team will campaign Chevy Impala SS.
Newman, winner of the ‘08 Daytona 500 signaled a change could be in the works this spring as negotiations with Penske Racing did not seem to progress. Finally, Penske Racing forced Newman’s hand by announcing that Penske Racing would move on.
“All I want to do is win, and Tony is a proven winner as both a driver and a team owner,” Newman said. “Tony is a racer who has seen all sides of this sport. He knows what it takes to win, and I know that he’s going to give me everything I need to be successful. We share the same goals, the same background and the same mindset. There’s a comfort level at Stewart-Haas Racing that’s very unique, and it’s why I’ve made it my new home.”
No sponsor announcements were made at the press conference. Smoke said he had hoped to have that aspect nailed down, but it may be another week or two before he could announce that part of the puzzle.
The pairing of Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman should be a good one. They share common backgrounds racing in USAC. They both have a subtle sense of humor which may make for some great moments looking forward.
Newman was one of the first of the ‘development drivers’ that many cup teams have embraced. When Newman signed on with Penske Racing, he had the unique opportunity to be mentored by NASCAR legend, Budd Baker. Baker worked with Ryan in the so call A.B.C. stepping stone of gaining stock car experience. Competing in ARCA, BUSCH, and CUP events, Buddy Baker served as a spotter, coach and advisor as Newman came into NASCAR.
Ryan Newman enjoyed his best Cup success with Matt Borland as his crew chief. Borland is at Haas-CNC now, making it possible to reunite Newman with Borland. That qustion was possed but left unanswered by Stewart and Newman. The possibility is certainly a strong one.
2 Comments
Sheesh! It’s about time.
There is a party at my place today.
Hm, hm and HMMMM!!!!!! grin … now THIS oughta’ loosen/FREE Newman up a bit more, AND, for him to possibly be back with Borland as his CC, too?? TOO cool … LOTS of very unique and enticing possibilities here, Grump! (And MAN were you ON this one, lol … “rumors” or not, you nailed this “official release” AS it went down at MIS — WELL DONE!)
Can’t wait to hear and see more as all of this unfolds for them, as, while this might not have been the “dream team” I would’ve picked with Smoke at the helm … in the end? Prepare yourselves, Grump & B, lol — I MAY HAVE BEEN WRONG ABOUT THAT, (especially since a few of those on my “chosen few” list are now mostly irritating the livin’ shit outa’ me with their new PC/PR/automoton crap, lol …)
Must do some diggin’ and catch up to all of this Stewart-Haas stuff, as I freely admit that I’ve not been on a lot of what’s goin’ on out there of late … regardless — Smoke & Newman. HMMMMM … yeah, that could be gellin’ up quite nicely, and I highly doubt they’ll be huntin’ too much for sponsors IF corporate America finally realizes that backin’ NASCAR/ISC for “official product” and/or “race” sponsorships is pretty damned STUPID compared to backin’ TEAMS, DRIVERS, and FANS.
Guess we’ll see how that shakes out as the economy does … as the election does … as all of US do, too, for that matter, lol …
Indeed, then, it’s already been one of the silliest of silly seasons already, Grump — so, it’ll be interesting to see just how much more “silly” it gets as corporate America WAKES from the coma in which France & Co. has managed to put the entire SPORT lately …
… and/or, grin … if Bruton Smith has still “got somethin’ better for ‘em” … hmmmmmmmmmmm ….
Times, they are a’changin’, but someday we’ll have to take a look at more than teams/drivers, and start lookin’ at what SMI does FOR fans vs. what NASCAR/ISC DOESN’T — and that includes directing monies where they belong … back into the grass roots I wrote about earlier, recently/currently being replaced with astro-turf by the Brainchildren Frances, who somehow believe that it’ll “last longer”.
But don’t get me started on “trendite longevity” again, lol … that’s for another rant, another day, when I actually square my thoughts enough to separate the issues I’m still PO’D about, of course …
Think that’s possible?
Another “HMMMMMMMMMMMM …” grin
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