Done Deal !!! Smoke to Haas with Newman

[Busch Babe 899]

Well, the rumors I'm hearing is that Mark Martin WILL be in the 5, they're just working on the deal to decided if he'll be full-time or part-time...so that might very well not be an option for Tony, if this is true.

Of course, Silly SEason has my head swimming this year more than usual....but I'm happy knowing if Mark wants to drive, he has a ride.

[Tonyfan14]

No offense to Mark Martin but if Tony is really interested in driving the 5 car, Rick would be stupid to not sign him.  Rick said in an interview with Jr a month ago that one of his biggest regrets in racing was getting sick and not able to close the deal with Smoke to drive for him back in 1998.  He might just get that chance to close the deal.

[scott b]

Gotta agree, a long-term deal with Smoke could trump the Mark Martin deal to drive the 5 for Hendrick, if that is what Tony wants.  But if that were to happen, would Mark close out his career in the 20 while mentoring Joey Logano?  To be clear, this is NOT a rumor I've heard, just thinking out loud that it would serve all parties well... MM, Gibbs, Home Depot, and Logano.  Only downside I see is MM in a Toyota would be hard for old-school fans to take. 

On the other hand, if the current rumors hold true (Stewart to Haas along with Newman, and Mark Martin to the 5), I'd like to be Martin Truex Jr's agent.  That would leave Truex at the top of the list of drivers known to be available, with open seats at JGM (20), Penske (12), and Childress (33 expansion team, but with solid sponsorship).  Nice bargaining position, that would be!

[FSBryan]

I don't think Truex is going to be a viable candidate for either the No. 20 or the No. 33. JGR has shown in the past that they will promote a Nationwide driver earlier than expected (JJ Yeley) and let him learn on the Cup circuit, which leads me to think that they're going to put Logano in the No. 20 for 2009 should it open up...the kid will land a sponsor for that car should they need it. Further, with JGR needing a place to move Marc Davis up, Logano to Cup frees up some Nationwide races.

As for the No. 33, Childress said publicly that Newman and Truex were both candidates for the ride, but were considered longshots because they wanted a young gun for the seat. It sounds like an unexpected name will be the one to land the No. 33 ride for 09.

That leaves Truex with the No. 12 at Penske should Newman move...at least it'd be a step up from DEI.

[Busch Babe 899]

I still think it's a mistake to promote ANY driver to Cup without at LEAST one season in NW or Truck....no matter HOW talented. Let him get some seat time. Hire Truex for a couple of seasons. JMO

[Busch Babe 899]

This just in...David Newton reports (according to the Nascar Now guys) that Hendrick will announce this week at Daytona that Mark Martin will be in the #5 next year. Not part time, or at least they did not mention if it was a mentoring part-time deal like he has now...could it be??? Might I have yet one or 2 more chances to cheer Mark on to a championship?? 

So that means Tony is no longer in the running for the #5.

[Tyyrus]

Might I have yet one or 2 more chances to cheer Mark on to a championship?? 

Hey , it's  going ta be pretty busy in the Marky Appreciation line here Girly ifin it's True !  Dam I'll be re-subscribing to my Daytona 500 Tickets next year if it's Full Time lol ! 

P.S.S. Hope BB is Right !

[Chris]

Yeah Ol' BB might have to change her name again.
First she was BB699... now she is BB899... she may have to become BB599... lol

[Busch Babe 899]

Yeah, it's hard, changing your identity yearly. But for Mark, I'll do it!!

[skool]

Yeah, it's hard, changing your identity yearly. But for Mark, I'll do it!!

[Tyyrus]

Yeah, it's hard, changing your identity yearly. But for Mark, I'll do it!!

Yep I'am with her there Chris ! Can'y wait until tomorrow to hear the News from the Hendrick News Conference ! 

[Busch Babe 899]

Rumor has come out now that he WILL be running full-time. 


Oh, and Office Depot (not official yet) will go to Tony...which means the Haas thing is likely close to a done deal.

Office Depot to Stewart: been told that Office Depot will be the sponsor for Tony Stewart in 2009 when he drives for Haas CNC Racing which is will buy in to. Hearing the announcement of the buy and deal will be made in Indianapolis the week NASCAR is in Indy for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, July 27th. See past news nad rumors on this on my #70 Team News and #20 Team News pages.(7-3-2008)

Jayski

I'm starting a pot for fines when people (including Tony) mistakenly call Office Depot, HOME Depot....LOL 

[Roswell]

Slow down a second would ya! Geeze 

[south jersey girl]

latest from Jayski...

UPDATE: Tony Stewart is expected to announce a 2009 move to Haas-CNC Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in three weeks. Reliable sources tell Sirius Speedway that Stewart will also announce sponsorship from Office Depot and Old Spice as part of a new, multi-year package with Haas CNC, and that Penske Racing’s Ryan Newman will join him as a teammate, with sponsorship from Jack Daniels. That surprise move comes as the result of an enviable situation at Richard Childress Racing, which now has five potential sponsors for next season, and only four teams. Sirius Speedway has learned that UPS will move from Michael Waltrip Racing’s #44 Toyota to the quarterpanels of Clint Bowyer’s #07 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in 2009, leaving Jack Daniels in search of a new driver. That driver will be Newman, who is set to sign-on with Stewart at Haas CNC.(Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway)(7-7-2008)

Mears or Stremme to the #12? It appears to be a two-man race for Ryan Newman’s soon-to-be-vacant [#12] seat at Penske Racing, with Casey Mears and David Stremme in the running. Stremme is making a strong bid for the ride, doing yeoman work as Penske Racing’s test driver this season. In fact, Stremme’s name is being linked with as many as three different Cup openings next year.(Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway)(7-7-2008)

...Don't ya just love silly season 

[Tonyfan14]

I just can't wait for all of this crap to be over with.  I do like Newman being Tony's teammate. Should be fun to see those 2 guys turn Haas around.