The Birthing of Stewart-Haas Racing
Pass out the cigars!
It’s official, a new race team has been given life in the “delivery room,” more commonly known as the press room, of ChicagoLand Speedway.
Stewart-Haas Racing is born in what Smoke calls “a huge day for me and a huge turning point in my career.’’ Stewart said the purchase provides something for him beyond his driving career.
“What do you do when your career is over?’’ Stewart said. “You talk to drivers that have retired in the last three, four, fives years. It’s hard to walk away from the sport. This gives me an advantage when the day comes I can’t drive a race car or don’t want to drive a race car I can remain heavily in NASCAR. This is something I want to do the rest of my life.’’
“I don’t think that a driver’s ever been offered 50% equity in a race team before,” Stewart said in a news conference at Chicagoland Speedway. “That was what made this too good to pass up.”
No other details were given, no second driver or sponsor were identified, although Smoke did kill off my assumption that GM/Chevy laid out cash to buy out the JGR contract.
Upon further review…, I sure would hate to be Ryan Newman about now.
With the rumors swirling and no second Stewart-Haas driver named the media gaggle around Newman this weekend will rival that of a line at the Saltine Cracker Bar at a Weight Watchers convention.
If I may be so presumptuous, and when am I not, I have a suggestion that may take some of the heat off Ryan. For the most part the ink-stained wretches are easily distracted, bright twinkling lights, shiny objects and free all-you-can-eat press room buffets all serve as diversions of varying success.
In that light, Ryan needs a simple and direct distraction that will ward of the media hoard. I suggest he don a pair of these this weekend when within a 1/2 mile of any member of the media. It would not only give them something else to write about but may just go a ways towards landing Smoke-Haas Racing another sponsor for 2009.
Technorati Tags: Stewart-Haas Racing, Tony Stewart, NASCAR, Sprint Cup
This is going to be interesting to watch Haas racing and how develops with Stewart. I wish him luck.
Good Luck Tony—interesting that Haas is involved in IRL raceing–does this mean we might see tony do the 500-600 deal in May?
As a Hoosier and a fan of these two drivers, it would be AWESOME to have them together!
It’s good to see you happy “HM” and by all indications Newman seems to be the choice to get that second seat.
I think its crazy, tony will never win again. i guess i’ll have to watch football now.
He’s crazy alright Matt.
Crazy like a Fox, with the assets already in place at Haas, plus what Tony brings in driver talent, sponsorship and management skills learned at JGR the team will win its first event no later than mid-2009.
I don’t think it is crazy, you go Smoke…..you have alot of fans, I am one of them.
You are a great driver and will be a great asset too Haas. JGR’s loss is Haas’s gain.
My dreamteam would be Tony and Ryan Driving to win it all.
Is there any truth to the rumors about Jr. joining Stewart-Haas?
Jr. who? If you are talking Dale Jr. not only no, but hell no he’s under a long contract.
If your talking Truex Jr. I’d bet yes, I’ve been saying he’d join Stewart way back in April.