Ryan Newman finally has a new home. The Daytona 500 winner will be announced as the second driver at Stewart-Haas Racing on Friday at the Michigan International Speedway.
Newman and Penske Racing announced that they would part ways at the end of the season after the decline in performance. Newman gave Penske his first Daytona 500 and restrictor plate win early this season by passing his new boss, Tony Stewart, on the last lap.
Newman's been with Penske Racing since his arrival in the Cup Series in 2000 and has driven the No. 12, now he and Stewart, will have new colors and number. He's expected to drive the No. 4 but sponsors are still being worked out.
His new boss and fellow Indiana native, Tony Stewart, announced he would be leaving Joe Gibbs Racing last month and will drive the number 14 after his hero A.J. Foyt. Stewart then hired Matt Borland as the competition director at Stewart-Haas Racing.
Borland was Newman's former crew chief, who helped guide Newman to 12 career victories. The AP is reporting that the two, Borland and Newman, may soon be reunited.
Newman's been rumored to be looking at other teams even though it was reported that he had signed a verbal agreement with Stewart. "Tony's a great competitor in a great many ways, because he's tough, but he's also respectful.
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." Now there going to be teammates.
With new numbers and new teams, Stewart and Newman may have to qualify their way into the field starting next season. Hopefully those questions will be answered on Friday at 10:30 a.m. when the official announcement is made.
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