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Penske, Newman to split after 2008
Associated Press
Newman's impending departure was announced Monday in a release from the Penske team.
"We want to thank Ryan for his hard work and contributions to Penske Racing over the past nine years," team owner Roger Penske said in a statement. "We wish Ryan all the best for the future and we'll continue to focus our efforts on making the Chase with Ryan and the Alltel Dodge team this season."
Newman expressed his appreciation to Penske and to the team in a statement, but gave no indication where he will be racing in 2009.
Newman has been with the Penske team since making his Sprint Cup debut in 2000. He got a full-time Cup ride in 2002 and has notched 13 victories, including this year's Daytona 500.
The 30-year-old Newman, known as one of the best qualifiers in NASCAR history, won 11 of his 43 career poles and eight races in 2003 and finished no worse than seventh in the season points from 2002 through 2005. But Newman went winless in both 2006 and 2007 and slipped out of the Chase for the championship, finishing 13th and 18th.
He has struggled since giving Penske his first Daytona win and is currently 16th in the standings.
The team said Newman's replacement will be announced "in the near future." Penske test driver David Stremme is considered a leading candidate for the job.
Stewart announced last week he will leave Joe Gibbs Racing at the end of 2008 to become driver and part-owner of the team currently known as Haas-CNC Racing. The name will be changed to Stewart-Haas.
The two-car team currently fields the No. 66 car for Scott Riggs and the No. 70 car for Jason Leffler, and both cars are outside the top 35 in owners points.
Member Comments
anybody really care where newman goes?
superhowie557/19/2008 13:37:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Peace6 Hey there, if you really want to see exciting ...yawwwwn...go to the sports channel and watch them yawwwwwn ...fishing! Snoooooozer...
pioneerof507/18/2008 15:41:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Or you could just wait until september so you can watch a bunch of guys throw around a dead pig and grope each other...
ty18187/18/2008 14:01:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
my prediction for this weekends race....everyone will start their cars and drive in circles for three hours. man i cannot wait. it's gonna be great.
philadelphiaeagles36fan7/18/2008 12:17:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
We have all seen the importance of having a good crew and crew chief behind you. K Busch would not have the number of wins he has without a superb team behind him. He concedes that and we all know it to be true. Having said all that, I think Ryan Newman is a great talent and the only thing missing to take him to the top of his profession is a crew/chief and driver working in unison and harmony. It's obvious that hasn't been the case and he is wise to move on. Sometimes it's necessary to shake things up when it's not working for the benefit of all. I give you the NY Mets as an example.
Sanbar37/18/2008 6:03:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Truex isn't fit to wipe Ryan's boots.As far as going with Stupid Stewy NO WAY! He is taking over a washed up team not even in the top 35,that team is useless.Ryan needs to got to RCR.
12nascar_nc7/18/2008 5:35:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Newman going to Stewarts team......um.....no way Tony is much smarter than that he will get a better driver than that in his car. Truex looks like the best bet rite now.
tough_guy227/17/2008 19:54:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
who cares, ryan is overrated and so is penske, put truex in the 12 and maybe they will make the top 15 in points
mariosidoti17/17/2008 13:54:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
thanks for the kind comments lickrod777<br /><br />I like your photo, are you a supermodel?
welfare_mary_from_oregon7/17/2008 11:55:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I can't believe what I just read!!! Welfare Mary, go back to your trailer trash cause we don't want u here! There, got that off my chest!!!!
lilred7777/16/2008 20:20:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Penske is struggling, Newman could run at the same level with almost any team. Might as well try something new
Cacklingcock7/16/2008 9:07:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I agree. I go to the Michigan race every June, and sometimes the August one, and we have a blast every time we go. Just the atmosphere of being there is awesome. However, watching MIS on tv is not one of the most exciting races to watch.
ty18187/16/2008 7:55:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Smoke that is why I go every year, you do have to FEEL it, no comparison to TV coverage. Like I said in an earlier post it is the national Anthem the Jets flying over and when they first go green, you feel it big time and you cannot really describe it unless you've been there. After that Chicago is the most boring race ever, but I stay and make the best of it. Wish they would reconfigure it, same ole same ole, year after year YAWN !!!!!
Firefly17/16/2008 6:12:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
gg, welcome aboard, glad to have you join.
attuser7/15/2008 16:58:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I, for one, am enjoying the NW races just as much, if not more than, Cup this year. I am excited for the Gateway Race this weekend -- "home" track for me & it's a great track that needs more tire time! :) I think you would get more side by side at Chicago if they would go with more traditional banking. With it flatter & the CON coming into play, it's going to slow it down & keep the groove pretty much set all the way around -- so single file. JMHO
spdfrk7/15/2008 16:04:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
gg I too remember Junior talking about the price to bring the Nationwide cars up to COT and wondering about sponsorship . Now that Navy is leaving #88 guess just a wait and see game. Junior also mentioned about how many employees he had at JRM and not wanting to put anyone out of a job.
bubbahughes7/15/2008 15:35:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
logano will be in the 20 car, home depot
welfare_mary_from_oregon7/15/2008 15:07:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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