Newman makes it official, will drive for Stewart-Haas

Tony Stewart plans to build his new NASCAR team into one that can win races and championships sooner than later.

The two-time Sprint Cup champion figures signing Ryan Newman as his teammate at Stewart-Haas Racing is a big step in that direction, though both drivers have a little unfinished business to take care of first.

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The thing that impressed me the most about Ryan was that he asked all the right questions. The questions he asked me about were how are we going to win races, how are we going to win championships, how are we going to get the right people in place to do the right jobs.
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TONY STEWARTStewart is trying to nail down a spot in the Chase for the championship -- and maybe another title -- in his final season with Joe Gibbs Racing, while Newman hopes to leave longtime employer Penske Racing at the end of this season with another win or two to add to his season-opening victory in the Daytona 500.

Stewart made the much-anticipated signing of Newman official at Michigan International Speedway on Friday, and the soon-to-be teammates sat side-by-side, smiling and talking about the future.

"This is an exciting day," Stewart said. "I mean, it's very important to Stewart-Haas Racing, obviously."

Stewart, leaving the Gibbs team after 10 successful seasons to become part owner of what has been the midpack Haas CNC Racing, added, "The flood of personnel that have come over and wanted to join the team since we made that announcement has been huge. With the addition of Ryan coming on board now, I think it's even going to make that list even grow larger."

The new owner-driver knows he's facing a lot of work to make a contender out of his new team, which currently has Scott Riggs 37th in the car-owner points and Tony Raines 43rd.

But Joe Custer, general manager of what is still Haas CNC Racing at this point, said things are changing quickly.

"It's overwhelming in ways," Custer said. "You know, to have Tony come on board, obviously, and now Ryan, it's just unbelievable. ... Tony's led the charge. The program's growing. It's exciting to be part of it."

Newman said he had at least three other serious offers for a new ride in 2009, but went with Stewart-Haas mostly because of its new co-owner.

"It's just a great opportunity," Newman said. "I think a lot of Tony from a personal standpoint as well as a driving standpoint, and I've seen his success from an ownership standpoint with the USAC cars and the World of Outlaws cars. I've seen him get the job done in other venues, and I look forward to the opportunity."