NASCAR talk: Tony Stewart close to picking new driver
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From our teammates at the LA Times:
NASCAR driver Tony Stewart said Tuesday he has not yet picked a teammate for his new two-car team in 2009 but hopes to make his choice "as soon as I can."
"Obviously I'd love to announce it sooner than later," the Sprint Cup Series driver told reporters in a teleconference. "I think it will be a key to being able to attract sponsors to the second car."
Stewart, a two-time Cup champion, recently said he would leave Joe Gibbs Racing after this season to become co-owner/driver at Haas CNC Racing, which will be renamed Stewart-Haas Racing.
Here's a link to the full story.
Who do you guys suspect the new driver will be? And what do you think about Stewart leaving Gibbs to create Stewart-Haas?
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Comments (10)
I've heard that Ryan Newman is a strong candidate.
I think that it's pretty obvious that Ryan Newman will be the one going to Stewart-Haas Racing next year. Didn't anyone watch television yesterday and see Newman announcing his departure from Penske Racing after this year? Coincidence? I think not. Stewart and Newman would make a splendidly pudgy team...oh yea, and their personalities will mesh as well. As a JGR fan, I'm disappointed to see Tony leave but I understand that he's got aspirations and I respect that. Plus, I can't wait to see Logano take over the 20!!!!!!
Yes, but here's what ESPN.com is reporting today:
Two sources in the industry said Newman still could be swayed by Joe Gibbs Racing, which has a vacancy with Stewart on the way out. Whether that means JGR would put Newman in Stewart's No. 20 or give that ride to 18-year-old Joey Logano and start a fourth team with Newman was uncertain.
So it's not a done deal with Newman. Any other candidates?
Whoever gets booted by Roush Fenway ::cough::Jamie McMurray::cough:: could also be a candidate but I'm still set on Newman and am fairly close minded about it.
Why?
1. I want to see it happen because I think the two of them together can and WILL do big things.
2. There's something about the way I hear the both of them talk about next year and disclose little to no information, knowing in their own minds who they will be chatting with in the garage on Sundays.
3. I'm stubborn.
I've heard that Truex might also be a candidate if he decides to leave DEI. I think Truex and Stewart could make a good team, though it would be a shame if the Haas-Stewart thing doesn't work out and Truex ended up losing out as a result of the switch. He needs an opportunity to show off his potential... I mean the kid won back to back Busch Series championships in his first two year of racing Busch. And now what? DEI didn't give Jr what he needed and it's not doing anything for Truex either. But I think Truex should wait for a more secure ride to open up. God forbid Stewart's team flops and Truex ends up in a bad ride.
FINALLY, TIME TO TALK NASCAR!!
Its obvious that Ryan Newman will leave penske and take a ride with Stewart. The biggest story is not stewart leaving as much as it is giving Joey Logano a seat in the Legendary #20 Cup car at JGR.
it will take Stewart a couple of years to be competetive anyways with a new upstart company, the next question is what sponsors will follow Newman and Stewart into this venture??....
Stewart: #14 (A.J. Foyt) Office Depot and Old Spice
Newman: #? Jack Daniel's (Leaving RCR and Clint Bowyer. Bowyer will get UPS from Michael Waltrip Racing)
P.S. With DJ gone, UPS has no reason to stay.