Tony Stewart was asked about the status of #39-Ryan Newman Friday morning after the announcement that Kevin Harvick was joining Stewart-Haas next season: WITH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WITH NOW HAVING THREE DRIVERS FOR NEXT YEAR HOW DOES THIS IMPACT RYAN NEWMAN, HIS PROGRAM, ARE YOU GUYS READY TO EXPAND TO A FOURTH TEAM? ‘No, we are not ready to expand to a fourth team. Unfortunately, this will be the last year that we have Ryan (Newman) with us. Thats probably what has made this a bittersweet day. Im bringing in another one of my friends to the organization, but also knowing that Im losing a friend at the end of the year to the organization. The number one thing when Ryan and I spoke is that our friendship will not change. This was a business decision that was Genes (Haas) as well as mine and it was a hard decision. There is a personal side and there is a business side. For Ryan and I we had to put the personal bit of it aside to work through the business part. Ill do everything I can to help Ryan in any way I can moving forward to try to help him in his effort to find another team next year. Im behind him 100 percent. I believe in him 100 percent. I truly wish we were able to facilitate four teams at this time. We are just not able to do that. Down the road Im sure if that becomes a possibility that he will most definitely will be on the list to fill the fourth seat again.”(Chevy PR)(7-12-2013) UPDATE: From Ryan Newmans media availability Friday: IN YOUR MIND WHAT WOULD BE AN IDEAL SITUATION FOR YOU IN 2014? ‘I dont know. There are organizations out there that are capable of winning championships and capable of racing I guess into the Chase to give themselves and opportunity at a championship. Its obvious that there are some seats that are moving around and becoming available and potentially coming available. To me I first and foremost want to be wanted for my ability. Ability behind the wheel as well as what I can do for the sponsors. That is the most important part. There are a lot of things to be considered, but I was sincere when I said it I want to be someplace where Im wanted. I want to be wanted for my abilities and the desires that we have as common goals to win a championship. DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMITMENTS FROM ANY OF YOUR CURRENT SPONSORS TO GO WITH YOU TO WHATEVER RACE TEAM YOU MAY END UP AT? DO YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE YOU WILL BE IN CUP NEXT YEAR? ‘I have no idea on any part of it. There are no answers that I have. Obviously, I have my own homework to do. I have no answers with respect to any of that at this point.”(Chevy PR) AND: Nemwan has been looking for 2014 opportunities since signing a one-year extension with SHR last fall but said it was stressful to have ‘no idea” where hed land. Though he wouldnt confirm whether he would bring sponsorship, SHR apparently isnt retaining Quicken Loans, the primary sponsor of Newmans #39 for 18 races this season, and theres been speculation they might follow the driver to another team. In January, Roger Penske said he had talked to the Detroit-based company about adding a third car with Newman to his team. Newman, though, said he wouldnt be interested in just any team that had an opportunity. An option for Newman could be RCR, which will need a new driver for its #29 Chevy after 13 consecutive seasons with Harvick. Team owner Richard Childress said the team had funding for three cars next season and possibly could add a fourth depending on sponsorship. ‘Weve got most everything lined up’ he said before practice Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. ‘Something can always fall through, but we feel very good about that.”( USA Today ) AND Fords Jack Roush, who has a three-car operation that could easily expand back to four, said he was interested in talking with Newman about the situation. Roush said he would be interested in hiring Newman if there were sufficient sponsorship. Newman has some sponsorship himself. A plus for Roush is that Newman is an engineer like Roush. And depending on what Matt Borland, Newmans current crew chief, decides to do, that could also be a plus for Roush. Borland was also Newmans crew chief during his years with Roger Penske.( MikeMulhern.net )
