With Golden Opportunities That Exist For Ryan Newman, Don't Draw Hasty Conclusions

[DebWilliams-GFN]

By Deb Williams

Two days before Penske Racing announced Ryan Newman wouldn't return next year to the organization that had been his racing home since 2000, the Indiana native said at Chicagoland Speedway his career decision for 2009 was “probably one of the hardest ... that I’ll have to make as a driver and maybe as a person.” No statement could be more true when one looks at the options probably facing him.

Immediately, many have pointed to Tony Stewart's new venture as Newman's destination. I can understand why that would be No. 1 on some observers'
radar screen. Stewart and Newman are both Indiana natives and both developed their careers via open-wheel cars. They also have assisted each
other with their charity endeavors.

Also, Matt Borland, who was Newman's crew chief from 2000-06 and the best man in his wedding, joined Haas CNC Racing as its competition director in 2007.
The team acquires its engines from Hendrick Motorsports and Hendrick engines are powerful. A lack of horsepower is something that has frustrated Newman on numerous occasions this season.

However, Newman made one remark at Chicagoland that has raised a red flag for me on this choice. Newman wants to win a championship, and while he saw the potential to win a title at Penske, he felt the potential there hadn't “proven to be as high as with other organizations.” I would say that, initially, Stewart Haas Racing won't have the title potential that currently exists at Penske.

Now, unless I missed something, Richard Childress Racing hasn't named a driver for its fourth car, which will be sponsored by General Mills.

Newman's love of the outdoors would fit nicely with Childress' passion for the backwoods. Even though Newman doesn't hunt, his love of fishing is no secret. He and wife Krissie also would be good representatives for General Mills. Even though they are a private couple, I could see General Mills working on projects with Krissie just as the company did with Nancy Andretti when it sponsored John Andretti at Petty Enterprises. However, consistency has been a problem this year with the organization that merged its engine department with Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s.

Many believe Joe Gibbs Racing will automatically elevate Joey Logano into Stewart's seat, and with Logano's quick success in the Nationwide Series, that would seem to be a logical conclusion.

However, J.D. And Joe Gibbs emphasized in May, prior to Logano's Nationwide Series debut, that he would move up to the Sprint Cup Series only after everyone at JGR agreed he was ready. Of course, sponsorship may dictate otherwise. But early last year Newman was reported to be the primary candidate for the ride eventually vacated by J.J. Yeley, even though he still had one year remaining at Penske. Yet, when Hendrick Motorsports released Kyle Busch, the Las Vegas native moved into that role. I'm sure JGR would like to have four Cup teams, and Newman's moral values and ethics would fit well at JGR.

On another front, I thought throughout the weekend about Newman's statement that some of his discussions had involved owning part of a team, but he hadn't decided if that deal was still on the table. In fact, I was thinking about it at 4:30 a.m. on Monday when I couldn't sleep. The only team that came to my mind as a possibility would be one associated with Roush Fenway.

Why? Because that organization courted Newman two years ago before he resigned with Penske. And due to NASCAR's policy that no organization may field more than four Sprint Cup teams in 2010, Roush Fenway must eliminate one at the end of 2009.

Of course, there's also Chip Ganassi Racing, Gillett Evernham Motorsports, and DEI. Have I left out a team that possesses championship potential?

I don't know which, if any of the teams I've mentioned, have talked with Newman, but it's obvious a golden opportunity exists for the 30-year-old driver.

[Stan]

I agree. I think SHR is less likely due to Ryan's experience with Rusty being part owner of his car. I don't think he wants another owner/teammate type deal.