NASCAR: Tony Stewart Ready to Go Where Few Have Succeeded

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Tony Stewart finally announces his plans for 2009.

Tony Stewart validated what many felt they knew already. Smoke will leave Joe Gibbs Racing after 2008 and has become co-owner of the new Stewart-Haas Racing.

Details of the actual “buy in” are somewhat sketchy as to whether Stewart actually bought into the operation or whether he was given 50 percent as his incentive to make the move.

If indeed the reports that Stewart’s contract from JGR was bought out by Chevy and Haas gave him his stake in the new team, Stewart is truly entering ownership from a position of strength.

The old joke about how to become a millionaire in racing; by starting as a multi-millionaire, obviously wouldn’t apply to Tony. Haas has nothing to lose by giving Stewart half his business.

Stewart will be able to do what Haas hasn’t: have instant credibility. Haas hasn’t had much credibility in his years of car ownership. His race team has not had much success on the racetrack and Gene hasn’t had much success in the courts.

Bringing a new intensity and credibility will allow Stewart-Haas Racing to attract high quality people and sponsorship. Already sponsors seem to be lining up to throw their logos on Stewart’s car.

Make no mistake about it; attracting the benjamins is one of the most important parts of car ownership in the current NASCAR world.

And that brings us to this week’s BUZZ ON PIT ROW:

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Now that Tony Stewart has finally made his announcement who will he bring along to be his number two driver; Ryan Newman, Martin Truex Jr. or both?

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Let us know what you think, and we may use your comments on this weeks show. You can listen to ON PIT ROW here. Then tune into INSIDE ARCA at www.arcaracing.com., starting at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesdays.

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