For the second time in just a week, ESPN.com has made a report on a premier driver’s plans for 2009 only to have NASCAR.com turn around the following day to refute those reports. Last week it was the reports suggesting that Martin Truex Jr. and DEI had come to terms on a two-year contract extension, which Truex very adamently refuted, stating that the report (David Newton) knowingly falsified his statements. That very same reporter then followed that story up with another, this time landing Ryan Newman in the seat of the no. 4 car for Stewart-Haas Racing next year with what he dubbed as a “verbal agreement.”

Early Friday afternoon at Pocono Raceway – site of this weekend’s Sprint Cup race - Ryan addressed the media by stating, “I am still working on my 2009 plans at this time. I have no timetable on finalizing anything at this point.”

Ryan’s wife, Krissie Newman, also attempted to clear the air in blog she posted this week, which stated, “Don’t get too excited just yet. Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet! There have been some recent articles posted that reporters have put out that sound factual. However, Ryan has not verbally agreed to anything and is still working on his 2009 and future plans. It is funny how much speculation has been going on about Ryan’s future. Everyone will know when the deal is signed. … Sorry to disappoint, just don’t want anyone to jump to conclusions.”

Newman did state last weekend at Indianapolis, however, that he had more or less narrowed his search down to one team, and Joe Gibbs Racing took their name off that table with a statement they issued that declared they were unsuccessful in locking on the necessary sponsorship for both Newman and a potential fourth car. That would leave Richard Childress Racing as the only major player left for Newman’s services other than Stewart-Haas.

Joe Custer and Mike Arning – both representing Stewart Haas Racing on the matter – reitterated Newman’s sentiments that no deal had been finalized between them and that Stewart-Haas was still in the midst of their search for the driver of the no. 4 car next season. Scott Riggs, the current driver of that car – which is currently numbered 66 – was also available for comment, though, stating that he was 99.9999% sure that it wouldn’t be him.

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Newman Says Reports Are Wrong, No Deal Has Been Made … Yet

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It was the hardest easy decision in Tony Stewart’s career, but the two-time Sprint Cup Series champion addressed the media today at Chicago, and just as expected, announced his departure from Joe Gibbs Racing a year premature, and that his newest venture will be as a 50% owner of Stewart Haas Racing, currently competing as Haas CNC Racing.

Stewart took the time on Wednesday afternoon to address his friends and co-workers at Joe Gibbs Racing, and explain to them why he was leaving. He said that by the time he was done speaking, everyone at the company offered their applause and congratulatory remarks, and that he’d gotten the best night’s sleep that he’d had in a long time.

Tony has spent his entire NASCAR career driving for Joe Gibbs Racing and has had Crew Chief, Greg Zipadelli, in his corner every step of the way, but the offer that Gene Haas made to him at the end of last season was too enticing for him to pass up. As previously stated, without putting any capital on the line out of his own pocket, Stewart will assume 50% control of the company, and beginning next year, the organization will begin racing under the banner of Stewart Haas Racing. The moved also will reunite Stewart with General Motors, whom he had a long-standing relationship with prior to making the move to Toyota in 2008.

In respect to car numbers, sponsors, and a second driver, Stewart said it’s all still a work in progress, and general manager, Joe Custer, backed him by stating, “We’ll take his lead on personnel matters.”

The team is rumored to have already come to terms with Office Depot to be the primary sponsor of Stewart’s car next season, and Old Spice and Jack Daniels are reported to be in negotiations as well. As for the second driver, popular opinion is that Ryan Newman holds all the cards right now on that deal as he is in the final year of his contract with Penske Racing, but Casey Mears, Martin Truex Jr, or even Scott Riggs could wind up in that car just as easily. It has been confirmed, however, that the team will continue to receive their engines, chassis, and technical support from Hendrick Motorsports.

“We had always thought I would start and finish my career at Joe Gibbs Racing,” Stewart said. “But, this is where I’ll be next year, and hopefully for the rest of my life in NASCAR racing.”

In response to what he expected from the move, Tony responded, “I really feel like when you look at this program, we have support with Hendrick engines, chassis, and technical support. I feel like we have the variables in place to go out and be competitive right away. At the same time, we know it’s going to be a rebuilding and adjustment period. How long will that adjustment process take? We don’t know.”

Recommended Reads:
- The Berthing of Stewart Haas Racing (Full Throttle)
- It Will Be Stewart Haas Racing in 2009 (RevJim’s Rants ‘n’ Raves)

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Stewart Haas Racing Becomes Official