Stewart hires Daytona 500 champ Newman

[August 14, 2008]  HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- Tony Stewart has hired fellow Indiana native Ryan Newman to drive the second car for his new team next season, The Associated Press has learned.

Newman, who nipped Stewart on the final lap to win the Daytona 500 in February, will be introduced as driver of the No. 4 Chevrolet on Friday at Michigan International Speedway, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person requested anonymity because details, including car sponsorship, are still being worked out.

Stewart said in July he was leaving Joe Gibbs Racing after 10 successful seasons that included two Cup titles to become part owner of fledgling Haas CNC Racing. The new team will be known as Stewart-Haas Racing, and Stewart will use childhood hero A.J. Foyt's No. 14. That car will be sponsored by Office Depot and Old Spice.

Newman, who is leaving Penske Racing at the end of this season, will use No. 4 in honor of the first number Stewart used as a child. Stewart is still working on multiple sponsor offers for that car.

The duo have a combined 45 victories and 53 poles. But most of Newman's success came before this season.

His team's performance has declined since the season opener, prompting him to start looking for other options that could provide him a chance to win a championship.

Newman potentially could be reunited with Matt Borland, now the competition director at Stewart-Haas. Borland was Newman's crew chief at Penske for 12 of his 13 Cup victories, but it's unclear what personnel moves Stewart might make.

[Associated Press; By JENNA FRYER]

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