It's official: Stewart hires Ryan Newman

Hoosier hotshots team up

Posted: August 14, 2008

The long-expected union of Indiana natives Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman as NASCAR teammates becomes official Friday.

Stewart, who last month completed a deal to take over half ownership of Haas CNC Racing, has scheduled a news conference Friday morning at Michigan International Speedway to announce the second driver for renamed Stewart-Haas Racing in the 2009 Sprint Cup season. Newman has been regarded as the leading candidate since July 15, when he and Penske Racing agreed to part ways after this season.

Neither driver could be reached for comment Wednesday. But both have made no secret of their desire to put a deal together.

Stewart, Columbus, unveiled the No. 14 Chevrolet sponsored by Office Depot and Old Spice he will drive during a visit to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard three weeks ago. Newman, South Bend, will be in the No. 4 car with sponsorship unclear.

Stewart, 37, has spent all 10 of his Cup seasons at Joe Gibbs Racing, and Newman, 30, has spent all of his seven with Penske. Stewart is a two-time Cup champion with 32 career wins, and Newman, a Purdue University graduate, has 13 wins, including this year's Daytona 500.