Stewart, Newman and Truex to form powerhouse team
08/02/08 Amidst all the speculation surrounding Ryan Newman's future, the driver and even his wife maintain no official deal has been signed to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing next season. Despite several online reports that the driver of the No. 12 Penske Dodge verbally agreed to join Stewart-Haas in 2009, Newman issued a statement Friday saying, "I am still working on my 2009 plans at this time. I have no timetable on finalizing anything at this point."
Also, a blog posted this week from wife Krissie Newman said, "Don't get too excited just yet."
She continues to report, "Don't believe everything you read on the Internet! There have been some recent articles posted that reporters have put out that sound factual. However, Ryan has not verbally agreed to anything and is still working on his 2009 and future plans. It is funny how much speculation has been going on about Ryan's future. Everyone will know when the deal is signed. … Sorry to disappoint, just don't want anyone to jump to conclusions."
"Stewart-Haas Racing has had, and will continue to have, lots of talks with lots of drivers," said Mike Arning, spokesman for Stewart-Haas Racing. "To say that any type of agreement, verbal or otherwise, has been reached with any particular driver is premature."
A source close to Penske Racing said "a verbal agreement in this sport doesn't mean anything." NASCAR.com
07/30/08 Ryan Newman has reached a verbal agreement to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing next season, a NASCAR source close to the situation told ESPN.com on Wednesday. The deal could take up to a month to finalize and announce as negotiations continue for car sponsors. Newman reached the agreement after Joe Gibbs Racing was unable to nail down sponsorship to start a fourth team. JGR president J.D. Gibbs confirmed on Sunday at Indianapolis that Newman no longer was a factor in the team's plans and that a fourth team was unlikely for 2009. Joey Logano, the 18-year-old phenom, is expected to step into the No. 20 car vacated by two-time Sprint cup champion Tony Stewart so he could become 50-percent owner of Stewart-Haas Racing. ESPN.com
07/26/08 Ryan Newman said Friday at Indy that he has his search for a new ride narrowed down, just doesn't have everything finalized, it is more a matter of paperwork and finalizing everything before he can announced something. PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show
07/15/08 Newman acknowledged on Saturday in Chicagoland that he has three serious options outside of Penske. A source close to the situation said Newman has been in discussions with Stewart Haas, Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing. The source added there is a firm offer from Stewart-Haas and that potential sponsors are set, but that the deal is not done. Newman said one of his options included ownership of equity in the company. Stewart-Haas general manager Joe Custer said his company is not looking to give up any more ownership than the 50 percent already given to Stewart. JGR officials have consistently said they are not interested in giving up ownership. Team owner Joe Gibbs and president J.D. Gibbs talked on Saturday as though 18-year-old sensation Joey Logano could replace Stewart in the #20 Home Depot car next season. RCR, looking for a driver for a fourth team sponsored by General Mills, and GEM already are divided into partnerships. ESPN.com
07/12/08 Tony Stewart is looking to field a powerhouse Sprint Cup team immediately. On June 27th, I was the first to write that Stewart would leave Gibbs Racing for an ownership stake in HAAS CNC with Chevrolet buying Stewart out of his contract, his sponsor being Office Depot, and his new teammate being Ryan Newman in the Burger King car. It looks like we may be have to add something to that story.
Last night, sources confirmed to me that Newman is a done deal and an announcement is coming soon. What I also learned, is that Martin Truex Jr. may be joining Newman and Stewart. Sources said, Stewart is now looking to field a powerhouse three-car team, and sponsors are lining up to be a part of the newly formed venture. According to sources close to the situation, the Office Depot and Old Spice deals are set, but sources also said Burger King and UPS are working diligently with Stewart to sponsor his second and third racecars, if they can convince Truex Jr. to come along for the ride with Stewart HAAS Racing.
Although DEI is working very hard to re-sign Truex Jr. and are throwing some huge numbers at the driver of the #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, Stewart is trying to convince Truex Jr. to join him and Newman at the newly formed Stewart HAAS Racing in hope of forming a powerhouse racing team. And, Truex Jr. may be ripe for the picking.
The New Jersey native, close friend and fishing buddy of Newman, has said repeatedly that he wants to stay with DEI. As recently as the day before Daytona qualifying, Truex Jr. said he and DEI were close to getting a deal done. However, the debacle last week at Daytona may have driven a major wedge between Truex Jr. and DEI. His team was docked 150 points for a NASCAR infraction regarding a roof template that didn't fit his Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, and Truex Jr. was furious with the mistake.
In addition, rumors have swirled all week that team owner Teresa Earnhardt is looking to sell the legendary team to President of Global Operations, Max Siegel. There has also been speculation that Paul Menard, driver of DEI's #15 car, and his wealthy father, may take their sponsorships dollars to Yates Racing, and that DEI might also shut down Regan Smith's #01 car due to a lack of sponsorship interest. Sources said, all of this DEI drama is weighing heavily on Truex Jr.'s decision to re-sign with the only race team he has ever known. Stay tuned…silly season is just beginning. – John 'Captain Thunder' Nevins