Just a few weeks back at Chicagoland, Tony Stewart confirmed the rumors and stated that he will own 50% of HAAS-CNC Racing in 2009. The name will be changed to Stewart-Haas Racing once the season starts, and Stewart will be an owner/driver.
Since Haas currently has two cars (#66, #70) there were rumors floating all around about who would join Stewart-Haas in the team's second car. Many rumors had it narrowed down to Martin Truex Jr. & Ryan Newman. However, the majority of the rumors all pointed to fellow Hoosier Newman joining the team come 2009. Turns out that those rumors were correct.
Newman verbally committed to joining Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009 today.
The deal could take up to a month to finalize and announce as the team is still looking for sponsorship for the second team car. Stewart already has Old Spice and Office Depot on board with his #14 car next season.
It was also confirmed that Newman will sport the #4 car next season when he joins Stewart-Haas Racing.
Once Joe Gibbs Racing was unable to nail down a sponsorship for a possible 4th team, Newman committed to joining Stewart-Haas. J.D. Gibbs has said that a 4th car is now very unlikely.
Personally, I think Tony should have waited. Newman used to be a good driver a few years back, but he isn't anything special these days. He isn't even the qualifying machine that he used to be, although he's still a pretty good qualifier. I have a feeling that Newman will also receive the #66's owner points from this year if the car stays in the Top 35 in owner's points. Stewart would have a past champion's provisional to fall back on if needed.
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