As the NASCAR season heads for the long hot summer, no organization on the circuit is hotter than Stewart-Haas Racing. Formed by champion driver Tony Stewart in the fall of 2008, the new team is soaring by leaps and bounds! Stewart and teammate Ryan Newman currently sit 1st and 4th in the Sprint Cup Series point standings. The new team with minimal expectations is now on the brink of the ultimate prize. Only time will tell how the 2009 season will pan out, but as of early June, the perfect script is on the table.
Tony Stewart
Known simply as "Smoke", Tony Stewart is one of the most successful NASCAR drivers of the decade. After having an amazing career in open-wheel racing, Stewart took his act to the Sprint Cup Series. In 1999, rookie Tony Stewart, wasted little time in showing his talent. Stewart would receive Rookie of the Year honors as he piloted the Joe Gibbs Racing Pontiac Grand Prix to three wins, 12 top-5s, and 21 top-10s. Stewart ended his rookie campaign with a 4th place finish in the point standings. Tony achieved more success with every passing season and his efforts paid off as he won the Sprint Cup championship in 2002 and 2005. One of Tony's biggest dreams was to become a car owner; Stewart got that chance when he took over half of Haas CNC Racing, renaming the team...Stewart-Haas Racing.
Ryan Newman
Ryan "Rocket Man" Newman also came from the open-wheel ranks. Like Stewart, Ryan also had a successful open-wheel career before coming to NASCAR in 2000. Ryan made his first start in the Sprint Cup Series for Roger Penske at Phoenix International Raceway in the fall of 2000. The following year Ryan ran a limited schedule of NASCAR and ARCA, before making his jump to the Sprint Cup Series, full-time, in 2002. Ryan won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire in the fall of 2002. Newman would finish his rookie season with one win, 14 top-5s, 22 top-10s, and six poles, earning him the Rookie of the Year. After a successful career driving for the legendary Roger Penske and Penske Racing, which included a win in the 2008 Daytona 500, Ryan left the organization. On August 15, 2008 Ryan Newman was announced as the new teammate for Tony Stewart, at Stewart-Haas Racing.
Stewart-Haas Racing
As the 2009 Sprint Cup season began, Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman were at the center of attention. Sure, people had an eye on champion Jimmie Johnson, but most wanted to know if Stewart-Haas Racing was the right move for Tony Stewart, and new teammate, Ryan Newman. During the first few races Tony Stewart was a house on fire, while Ryan Newman was burning in the basement. Struggling to crack the top 25 in every race, it looked as though "Stewart-Haas" would only be "Stewart" in 2009. However, once Ryan and crew chief Tony Gibson found the right chemistry, life began to change...and change rapidly. With each passing week Ryan was given a solid top 10 car and was a constant fixture near the front of the field. While Ryan began to come into his own, Tony Stewart continued to blaze a trail. Tony would win the 2009 Sprint Cup All-Star race and then after a strong performance at Dover...Stewart took over the points lead. With Tony on top of the point standings, and Ryan Newman in 5th, Stewart-Haas Racing headed for Pocono. After starting at the rear of the field Tony Stewart would capture his first Sprint Cup win as an owner/driver. The win was also the first points win for the team since they debuted in 2002, as Haas CNC Racing. With his victory, Stewart maintained his points lead. Ryan Newman had to rebound from a spark plug issue, but found his way to 5th as the checkered flag waved. Ryan gained one spot in the points, and as the team heads to Michigan, Newman is 4th in the standings.
Army Strong with Old Spice
The future has yet to be written and it could still be a "cruel summer" for this new organization, but the summer could also bring more rewards than anyone could have imagined. If life continues to be as sweet as iced tea, NASCAR fans could see Tony Stewart or Ryan Newman holding the Sprint Cup trophy after the race in Homestead. Thanks to Hendrick power under the hood and a great supporting cast, Stewart-Haas Racing is primed and ready for the second half of the 2009 season.
