Here's what everyone will be talking about as the NASCAR haulers roll into Daytona International Speedway next month for the start of one the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory.For those of you that still don't see Tony Stewart as a "glass half full" kind of guy, look no farther than the most ambitious project of his diverse career: Stewart Haas Racing.
It looks as if Stewart couldn't have picked a tougher time to venture out on his own and leave the comfy championship Joe Gibbs stable. He's switching from Toyota to Chevrolet just as NASCAR has nixed testing. Sponsors are hard to come by and the formation of mega-teams means the competition is literally ganging up on him.
But Stewart doesn't see it that way at all. And neither do his fellow drivers, even those who would prefer the two-time champ endure enough growing pains not to swipe a spot in the Chase for the Championship.
"I think it's a perfectly good time for Tony to do this,'' said Kasey Kahne, driver of the No. 9 Budweiser Dodge. "What he can do with sponsors and hiring people. ... everyone loves Tony Stewart. And with all the layoffs, he's able to pick up great employees.
"He knows what it takes to win races and he'll figure out how to do that with this team as quickly as possible. I have no doubt.''
Ryan Newman, whom Stewart tabbed to drive the No. 39 U.S. Army-sponsored Stewart Haas entry, is philosophical about the situation and fully expects both he and Stewart (in the No. 14 Old Spice/Office Depot Chevy) to qualify for the 12-driver Chase for the Championship this season.
"It's a tough economy and that's hard when it comes to sponsorship, but right now the sport's saturated with good people to hire – there's an equal and opposite to everything.''
"This is the quote I remember,'' Newman shared. "Yesterday after I did my first run (testing at New Smyrna) and he did his first run, he said, 'You know, I've never been a father and now I know what it feels like to be a proud father.'
"That said a lot to me. He treats his employees like family and he acts like the race cars are his kids.''
Now as long as everyone behaves.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-19-2009 @ 2:23PM
hafttwo said...
so nice to see tony in an american car and not a slope mobile
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1-19-2009 @ 4:53PM
boilersg said...
Tony is finally back with Chevy. He'll continue where he left off before Gibbs decided to go to Toyota.
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1-19-2009 @ 6:10PM
boderekisa5now said...
Slope mobile lol Newman can't drive but Tony will still eke out 3 wins,and I think Napa will sign on with him and Haas after Waltrip finishes 30-something in points again and the Office Depot chain goes under.
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1-19-2009 @ 7:18PM
CJ said...
boder5now, i dont see the Office Depot chain goin under anytime soon and havent heard of it doing so and they do have a multiyear deal with Stewart. I do agree that Napa will probably leave Waltrip, as they should've along time ago, and if Napa did go to Stewart-Haas, i think they'd probaby go with a third team with Truex Jr possibly, but i see Napa either going with RCR and possibly replacing Jack Daniels or they go to Gibbs for a fourth car or possibly replace Home Depot as they are really hurting financially right now. I tell you right now though, dont be suprised if Mikey offers to step out of that ride and try and talk Napa to stay and sponsor Reutimann, although they'd be stupid and if Reutimann couldnt keep UPS from leaving, what makes them think Napa wouldnt want to go!
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1-20-2009 @ 11:17AM
HOWIE said...
DON'T CONCERN YOURSELF TOO MUCH ABOUT ANYBODY
"GANGING-UP" ON TONY.
HE'S USED TO THAT AND YOU CAN'T KEEP HIM OUT OF THE WINNER'S CIRCLE.
I'LL BE THERE TO SEE TONY WIN IN DAYTONA.
SMOKE: STAY OFF THE FENCE! JUST WIN AND SHUT
THEM UP FROM ALL THEIR CRYING AND WINE WINE!
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1-28-2009 @ 10:20AM
Bubba said...
Best wishes and many victories to the Stewart-Haas race team and both drivers. It is good to see "Smoke" back with Chevrolet. I am loking forward to this season ans seeing both Tony and Ryan in winners circle and in the chase. Good Luck Men!!
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2-01-2009 @ 1:19PM
Laurie Tawney said...
MY LOVE FOR TONY GROWS MORE AND ,ORE EACH YEAR!!!!!! I WISH HIM THE BEST OF LUCK IN '09. GO SMOKE!!!!!
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2-02-2009 @ 1:10PM
Roy said...
I have been a fan of Tony's since his rokie years, in fact i got to see his # 20 car last year at the Joe Gibbs Racing facility last year before he formally anounce his departure of JGR, Tony really knows how to man up when the tough gets going, Tony, don't be scared, go for it, you done it before with help, this time you can do it on your own, and shut the negativity up, prove to the nascar world who is the man.
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