The next great super team is forming right in front of our eyes. Like a phoenix rising from the infield, Haas-CNC racing has been saved. Saved from disappearing like the soap in a prison shower. Saved from just being a footnote in the history of NASCAR.
As we all know, Tony "Smoke" Stewart has purchased 50% interestin Haas-CNC to form Stewart-Haas racing. One of the best drivers of the last 10 years is now really in the driver's seat. The seat that will lead to a third championship for himself and many for whoever drives for him.
Smoke doesn't lose easily. Coming back to Chevy and the resources they offer will make Stewart-Haas a competitor.
- B/R Ticket Guide
With Ryan "The Rocket" Newman joining to drive one of the two cars (either #66 or #70), you have a strong lineup. The $64,000 question right now is, when will Newman make it official?
Let's review some career stats:
Smoke: 32 Wins, 125 Top-Fives, 200 Top 10's, two Cup Championships. The Rocket: 13 wins, 63 Top-Fives, 105 Top 10's, the skill to win a Cup.
I would say those are fairly impressive numbers.
With Stewart at the helm of the operations, there will be no excuse to fail. The equipment will be there. The proper people will be in place. And the sponsorship will fall into place.
Office Depot has already committed, as had Old Spice. But more will be needed. Especially if Smoke wants to become the third super team, along with Hendricks and Roush Fenway.
This isn't out of the question. Smoke could also have a third or fourth car by 2010. And who would be viable candidates for these cars? If I had to guess, I would say Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, or maybe even J.J. Yeley.
The future for might be filled with a lot of Smoke, but it will be clear the whole way.
comments (5) write a comment »
write a new comment
4 months ago
Well written, very well written ... but a 5 star pipe dream.
Being the red-headed stepchild of Hendrick Motor Sports gives Stewart-Haas basic, second tier equipment at best.
Haas has as much money as any other team and still can't break the top 35. It will take S-HR at least two seasons to break into the top 20 and with Newman and Smoke so close to being washed up, it will be too late for either of them. This deal is about Stewart retiring in less than five years and staying in Cup as an owner. And ... gotta change those numbers.
With NASCAR's immediate future in the hands of 20's something hot-shoes it's rocking chair time for the last of the good old boys.
4 months ago
LJ, those statements are a little extreme...
1. That team will no longer be redheaded stepchild, Chevrolet will see to that. There is also a huge talent disparity between Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman than Scott Riggs and Jason Leffler. Don't forget that Stewart is also going to clean house and the team will pay big money for new engineers and so forth.
2. I don't know where you get either of those two being close to washed up, Stewart can drive as long as he wants and Newman turns 31 this December, far from washed up. Jeff Burton's in his 40s, and in the top 5 in points. Biffle, Kenseth, Dale Jr., Johnson, Gordon, Harvick, etc. are also all in their 30s.
3. Don't send everyone to the rocking chair yet, Mark Martin will win races next season in the #5 and I don't see Burton slowing down anytime soon.
I would like to know from the author why Roush Fenway would give up Matt Kenseth or Greg Biffle, though. I do think ARCA points leader Ricky Stenhouse could end up at SHR by that time.
4 months ago
The rumor mill has been running rampant with talk of both Biffle and Kenseth looking to move on. In particular Greg Biffle.
He has admitted to being frustrated with the equipment he has been give the last season and this. Biffle is an excellent driver and I feel he can be a champion or at least in the top three at the end of the season if he had the right equipment. Ever since Fenway bought into Roush, it seems they just haven't been performing like the used to. The last great season for the Cat in The hat was 2004 when Kurt Busch won the cup.
4 months ago
"Smoke is still class in everything he does. Charity, race tracks, animals, driving, etc. You name it. He will continue to succeed and he deserves it. Get on the band wagon now or miss the boat.
We love your dedication, Smoke, even here in Ocean City, Maryland.
Dick Pairo
4 months ago
Brian, I'll believe that one when I see it, especially when Kenseth has scored the most points of any driver in the last 2 months of the season. Biffle just signed a new deal to stay with RF.
As far as their seasons are concerned, their 2005 season on the whole was much better than 2004. All 5 teams made the Chase with Biffle and Edwards tied for 2nd. 2006 and 2007 weren't fantastic, but solid nonetheless and Edwards has three wins this year with Kenseth and Biffle both in the top 12. David Ragan is also next in line to win a race for the team.
write a new comment