UPDATE: Ryan Newman to re-sign with SHR.
Ryan Newman, driver of the No.39 ARMY Chevrolet for Stewart Haas Racing (SHR) finds himself in a little of a bind. Newman and Tony Stewart (1/2 owner of SHR) were hit hard when it was announced that the ARMY WAS PULLING OUT OF NASCAR. With them pulling out of NASCAR, there went Newman’s sponsorship for 2013. Nothing hits a team harder then a sponsor leaving the sport.
Stewart has been adamant that he wants to resign Newman; Newman has said many times that he is 100% focused on signing back with Stewart. The only problem is and they both have said it, only if they can find sponsorship.
So what happens if they can’t find sponsorship? Newman and Stewart will be forced to part ways.
Where in the world could Ryan Newman Go?
There were rumors that maybe he could join back up with Penske Racing. The only issue with that is currently there are talks of Joey Logano having an offer on the table to drive for Penske next season. If Joey Logano goes to Penske Racing to drive the No.22 Dodge Shell/Pennzoil Charger there doesn’t leave real room for anyone else.
If Joey Logano stays at Joe Gibbs Racing? Maybe. It is probably an option for Newman, even though he has said he has not talked to Penske about it.
In a time that even top teams such as Roush Fenway are struggling to find sponsorship for more then a few races at a time, teams such as SHR find themselves looking for the golden egg.
There are realistically not many openings on top tier teams for 2013. The only other possible option I can see is if Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) put Newman in the No.9 of Aric Almirola. Both Almirola and Marcos Ambrose are free agents at the end of this season. I would think its a sure thing that Ambrose gets resigned, as he can give you a pretty good chance at winning in the Cup series at least twice a year. (Sonoma & Watkins Glen) plus he has improved quite a bit on an oval.
Almirola, on the other hand, in his first full time Cup season thus far (which is 21 of 36 races ) has finished in the top ten only one time. His stats sure don’t scream, “keep me Richard Petty!”
There have been no talks out of RPM about the contract situation between Ambrose and Almirola. But if Newman still wants to race for a team that won’t be start and parking it might end up being an only option.
We hope that SHR finds sponsorship for Newman, as I think everyone would agree him staying put would be the best option as we know Stewart is more then just a car owner to Newman, he is his friend.
I hope Ryan stays put at SHR, but if not I think Penske is the best option for him.
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Newman should stay put, if not I wish Childress would drop Burton. At least that would work for both of them.
At this point I don’t see anyone in the #22 Penske Shell / Pennzoil ride for 2013 other than Sam Hornish. He is driving great in both the Nationwide and Cup Series. He finished 5th at Watkins Glen and came from the back of the field to led at Michigan yesterday. He finished 12th after an unscheduled pit stop and would almost certainly have had a top 10 if he had not had to stop. Hornish certainly has Penske’s support for the job if he continues to get results and Hornish won the Indy 500 for Shell / Pennzoil a few years back. Legano’s performances have not been as good as Hornish and Ryan’s only marginally better in a much more optiomal situation.
ryan and tony go to together well as team mates.. lets keep the that way..tony will find a way as he is a great person and will find a way. i will pray that this will happen…
so happy to see that ryan is resigning with stewart haas racing….he and tony make a fine team…this year has had some bumps, but they will find a sponsor for ryan i have no doubt of tony’s selling capabilities and overall ryan is still not totally out of the chase…he is sitting there on the fence ready to jump on in….go stewart haas racing go ryan go tony…i am a huge fan!!!