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.
4 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
SCOTT GIBB SR. 11 months ago
COOL I ALREADY NEW RYAN WAS GOING WITH TONY GOOD DEAL FOR RYAN
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Mary Jo Buchanan 11 months ago
Kelly, Great read and update - such a silly season this year!
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Jen Preston 10 months ago
No kidding! Good to know Newman's deal will finally be announced tomorrow- what's left, the 33? Excluding the fact that Joey Logano may/or may not be in the 20 (which he will be)...
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Christopher Leone 10 months ago
Don't expect either Stewart or Newman to miss any races next season, with the possible exception of Daytona.
Stewart will almost certainly have the most recent championship provisional, pending any owners' points shifts at RCR (if one of their current drivers wins this season). Unless Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, or Clint Bowyer wins the 2008 Sprint Cup and sees their owners' points shifted to the new No. 33 team, Stewart's in. We know this for sure.
The No. 66 that will become Newman's ride next season is only 31 points out of the top 35 right now, with driver Scott Riggs having led laps in two of the past three races. Even if that fails by the end of the year, Newman has never failed to win a pole in any of his 7 full years of Sprint Cup competition. His 43 career poles are proof positive that he can put a car in the field.
Finally, with all the quality people who will flock to join Stewart's new team, and especially with Hendrick Motorsports-provided equipment, the team definitely will have the cars to succeed.
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