Tony Stewart Leaving Joe Gibbs Racing For Haas
Two-time Cup Champion Is Ready To Be A NASCAR Owner
It appears as if Tony Stewart will leave Joe Gibbs Racing following the 2008 Sprint Cup season, as he will buy into the fledgling Haas CNC Racing operation. Stewart signed with Joe Gibbs Racing in 1998 and began driving the orange number 20 Home Depot car in 1999. He won three races, captured the Rookie of the Year title, and most significantly, he sparked a trend in which rookie drivers immediately emerged as winners. In fact, since Stewart’s rookie campaign, a rookie has won a race in every season except 2004 and 2008, and the season is at its halfway point.
The burning desire to be the man in charge has lured Stewart in a different direction. He is an appealing personality for sponsors, and he is a successful team owner in the World of Outlaws. Additionally, he has created one of the most entertaining exhibition charitable race at his track in Eldora, the Prelude to a Dream. Stewart’s latest endeavor will no doubt be the most arduous task he will undertake.
Haas CNC Racing is in disarray right now as the current owner and founder, Gene Haas, is serving a jail sentence for fraud. The organization has a seven-post rig, and other valuable R&D tools, as well as engine support from Hendrick Motorsports. However, they have yet to capitalize on those tools. Sponsorship has always been an issue at Haas CNC. With Stewart on board, sponsors and key personnel will jump on board, as well as a high-profile driver. Ryan Newman is the leading candidate, as he is the second best free agent behind Stewart himself. Newman is a 13-time race-winner, 1,000-time pole winner, and he boasts a Daytona 500 and All-Star trophy.
Martin Truex, Jr. and Brad Keselowski are two additional options, but it appears that Truex, Jr. may remain at DEI, and Keselowski told ESPN during last week’s Nationwide Series race that he will drive for JR Motorsports in 2009.
Stewart and Newman will endure growing pains in 2009, and the season may begin a little sluggish. Nevertheless, Stewart and Newman are significant upgrades from Scott Riggs and Johnny Sauter/Jason Leffler. Office Depot and Jack Daniel’s are rumored sponsors for Stewart’s new team. For Stewart as a performing driver, this is a downgrade from Joe Gibbs Racing, which is one of NASCAR’s powerhouse teams. It may take years for Stewart to build a championship caliber team. In fact, Joe Gibbs Racing won their first championship in 2000, nine years after the team was established.
For Newman, it seems to be a lateral move, as Penske Racing has underachieved in recent years. It could be a marginal upgrade, but that remains to be seen.
Perhaps Stewart’s aspiration to associate himself with General Motorsports prompted this move. Joe Gibbs stated that he would help Stewart start his own team, but that would require owning a team that fields Toyotas.
A little over a year ago, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. left DEI for Hendrick Motorsports. About four or five years ago, who would have thought that when they saw the number 8 and number 20 cars battling on the track, it would be Aric Almirola and Joey Logano?
