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closeFun a factor in decision, Ryan Newman says
Drivers make it official at Michigan
JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer
Friday, Aug. 15, 2008
Ryan Newman (center) works with crew members on an engine before practice at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Friday, Aug. 15, 2008. Tony Stewart, who will become an owner-driver next season, formally announced the hiring of the Daytona 500 winner as his teammate at the track on Friday. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
BROOKLYN, Mich. - Ryan Newman said he wanted to have fun again.
That was one of the main reasons, this season's Daytona 500 winner said, that he decided to accept an offer to drive the No. 4 Chevrolets next season with Stewart-Haas Racing. Newman said he signed a multiyear deal with team co-owner Tony Stewart.
"I told Tony, 'I'm here to have fun with you' and I know he wants to have fun doing this," said Newman.
"That is what racing hasn't been a lot of for me lately just because we had success in 2002, 2003 and part of '04 and, lately, it hasn’t been as successful.
"Therefore, some of the fun has been gone with that."
Unlike Stewart, Newman will have no ownership stake in the new organization. And currently, Newman's team lacks sponsorship, but Stewart said he was close to locking in a sponsor.
Neither Newman's nor Stewart's crew chiefs are locked up for next season, but Stewart said he hoped to be able to bring in a pair of crew chiefs who will know how important it is that both teams work together well from the start.
"We're working not to get just one crew chief, but to get a pair of crew chiefs that will work together and help us work together better as drivers," Stewart said.
Newman has won 13 Sprint Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500. Together, Newman and Stewart form a team that has 57 U.S. Auto Club wins and 45 Cup wins.
"We share the same goals, the same background and the same mindset," Newman said.