Ryan Newman is a strong candidate to join Tony Stewart at Stewart Haas Racing in 2009. (Jason Smith/Getty Images Photo)
As recently as Saturday afternoon, Ryan Newman insisted his 2009 plans had not been made and that he was still considering a return to Penske Racing, his racing home since 2000. But that option fell off the table Monday afternoon when Newman and Penske announced that they will part ways next season.
On Saturday at Chicagoland Speedway, Newman said he was still considering re-signing with Penske, the team he has spent his entire Sprint Cup career with. “Honestly, I don’t know,” he said when asked if he’d be leaving Penske. “In general, I have a career here. I’ve had a career here at Penske Racing. If it works out to move on, then I will move on. I don’t know that answer yet.”
In 243 career starts in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series — all with Penske — Newman has 43 poles, 13 victories, and 63 top-five finishes. But after finishing seventh or better in the Sprint Cup points during each of his first four seasons, Newman missed the Chase for the Sprint Cup in 2006 and ’07 and almost certainly will miss it again this season.
Newman is a strong candidate to join fellow Indiana native and close friend Tony Stewart next season at what will be known as Stewart Haas Racing, though he told reporters Saturday he had neither decided where he was going next year, nor had a signed deal with anyone else.
“No, I haven’t agreed,” Newman said Saturday when asked if his 2009 deal was in place. “I told you point blank – I’ve never lied to you and I won’t lie to you. I haven’t agreed. I don’t know my answer.”
But there’s no question that part of the attraction at Stewart Haas would be the opportunity for Newman to work with both Stewart and Newman’s former crew chief Matt Borland, who is the team’s competition director.
“Tony’s a great competitor in many ways. He’s tough, but respectful,” said Newman. “He’s been a good friend on and off the racetrack. Specifically off, he’s done a lot to help me and guide me. In general he’s just a hard-nosed racer and have always appreciated him for that. Whether we argue on the race track or not, we’re two hard-nosed racers. I think Tony would be a good boss. He’s proven to be successful in his open-wheel career as far as ownership with the dirt (track) teams.”
