Thanks to Tony Stewart, the puzzle pieces of the 2009 season are starting to match together nicely.Ryan Newman won't have to worry about Alltel continuing to be the sponsor of the No. 12 Penske Dodge after 2008 because he won't even be with the Penske operation anymore, potentially opening the door for Newman to join Tony Stewart at Stewart-Haas Racing, otherwise known as the "Indiana Dream Team".
Newman, who hails from South Bend, Ind., leaves Penske Racing at an interesting time. Though 2008 was he final year of his current contract with the team, most wouldn't have expected Newman to be leaving the only team he's ever driven for in stock car racing. A win at the Daytona 500 in February further emphasized that thought.
But Newman has been frustrated with the performance of the team, both this year and for last few years. Currently, Newman sits 16th in the point standings, and it appears he could be on the outside looking in for the Chase yet again. He hasn't been a participant since 2005.
In 2003, Newman's career looked to be taking off like a rocket. He won eight races of his 13 career wins that season. He followed it up with two more in 2004, one in 2005, and then didn't win again until February at Daytona. In that time, the Penske operation had fallen off from being at the top of the NASCAR game, and it took a toll on a Newman, leading him to where we are today.
A big factor in Newman's decision also had to be the exit of Don Miller at team president in the offseason, as well as the departure of Matt Borland as crew chief a few years back -- both of whom were very close to the driver.
Sunday at Chicagoland, Newman said he has four options for 2009, and that at least one has included talks about partial ownership. My guess, just like the rest of the world, though, is that next week at Indianapolis will be a special one for Newman and fellow Indiana-native Stewart.
Stewart-Haas-Newman Racing? I doubt it. But Stewart-Haas featuring Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman? Sounds like a dynamic duo.
A dynamic Hoosier duo.
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