Newman: "We're Getting Closer" on '09 Deal

Ryan Newman must love being sly.

For many of the past race weekends, Penske Racing's departing driver has been a man of few revelations, even as the NASCAR media continually cites sources saying he has a done deal to drive alongside Tony Stewart at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009.

The most recent rumor came on behalf of Lee Spencer with FOX Sports:

The worst secret in the NASCAR garage is one step closer to becoming reality.

Ryan Newman has reached a verbal agreement with Stewart-Haas Racing to drive the No. 4 Chevrolet starting next season, sources told FOXSports.com.

Nothing has been signed and nothing is official, but a deal is close and a formal announcement is expected to take place in the next 4-5 weeks.

Among the details pending is a sponsor for Newman. Burger King is a likely candidate for at least partial sponsorship.

Burger King is one of those sponsors that nearly makes too much sense for Newman. Can't you just him in a commercial with the awkward "King" character in the passenger seat at the local Burger King?


On Friday afternoon's qualifying broadcast on ESPN, Newman was asked again about the his status in the Sprint Cup Series for 2009, and his answer didn't much change with Newman saying an all-too-familiar "We're getting closer" following by a coy look.

Newman promised to the media at Chicagoland Speedway three weeks ago that he wouldn't play games with the media and that as soon as he knew his plans, he'd let everyone know. Of course, Newman's definition of "knowing" his plans might be completely different than the media's.

In other words, Newman might be waiting on the right font size for his number on his new car, while everyone else is just clamoring to know if the Stewart-Haas rumor is true.

We'll find out soon enough, though.