by Lee Spencer

Comment

Grubb, 32, who holds an engineering degree from Virginia Tech and has been with the Hendrick organization for more than six years, is the perfect bridge between Stewart-Haas Racing and HMS. Multiple sources confirmed that Grubb signed his contract this week, a move FOXSports.com first reported at Indianapolis.

After spending 10 years with No. 20 crew chief Greg Zipadelli, Stewart, who qualified 14th on Friday, said it was important to find a chief he was comfortable with and who would interface seamlessly with the Hendrick organization.

"Zippy and I have been together for 10 years, which is longer than I've had a girlfriend," Stewart said. "It's very hard. You have to try to find the chemistry and try to find the right people that you know are going to be right for your operation — what your goals and what your expectations are.

"Knowing how closely we're going to be working with the Hendrick organization, it has to be someone that the Hendrick organization feels comfortable with to work with their people too. There's a lot of equation other than saying I like this guy. It's not near that easy."

During Grubb's first tour as a crew chief subbing for the suspended Chad Knaus in 2006, he won two races with Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48. Grubb added the Coca-Cola 600 trophy to his mantel in 2007 when he led Casey Mears and the No. 25 Chevrolet to Victory Lane at NASCAR's longest race of the year. This year he became a team engineer for the No. 88 crew. He will keep the position until the end of the season; however, once the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins it's expected that he will spend a few days at the Stewart-Haas Racing shop.

Jeff Meendering, a 13-year Hendrick veteran who worked as crew chief on the No. 24 with Jeff Gordon until joining Petty Enterprises as Bobby Labonte's crew chief this year, is expected to resume that role with Grubb.

Stewart leaked the news of his crew chief deal during the "Smoke Show," a fantasy-camp fundraiser he's held for Speedway Children's Charities at Texas Motor Speedway the last two years. Stewart was beaming as he spoke of raising $250,000 for the kids — the largest grossing single day for the SCC-Texas Chapter.

Stewart also mentioned a sponsor for Ryan Newman and the No. 39 Chevrolet. Sources have told FOXSports.com that the U.S. Army will back Newman in 2009.

Stewart admits pulling things together on the ownership front "will be difficult." But after watching Joe Gibbs Racing balance football and racing over the past decade, Smoke has learned the key is hiring "the right people to do the right jobs."

"When I get to the race track on the weekends I'm going to be a driver, I'm not going to be an owner," Stewart said. "My job on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is to get in behind the wheel and to do what I've done all my life.

"Obviously, Monday through Thursday is a little different role and (will) be a little more hectic. But the weekends will be the same for me as far as my role and what I do."

For now, Stewart's first priority is the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota. He is currently sixth in the point standings, 596 points behind teammate and points leader Kyle Busch.

With just two races remaining before the Chase, Stewart believes the crew is completely committed to winning a third title. But he's not completely confident that 2009 will be the year.

"I feel great about the effort that's being put forth," Stewart said. "I'm proud of my team, I'm proud of Zippy. I'm proud of our guys and how hard they are digging but we just haven't found that one thing or two things that we need right now.

"The great thing about this organization is that these guys won't quit. It doesn't matter if with two races to go we're 12th in the points. They are still going to keep working just as hard as we are right now. You keep doing the same things that we've always done for 10 years that's won us 33 races and two championships. You keep fighting and you keep working hard and you hope you find it, but right now we're not where we need to be."

Voices around the garage

Patrick Carpentier says he harbors no ill will toward replacement Reed Sorenson. ( Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

Patrick Carpentier on Reed Sorenson's signing

"I knew that it was a possibility. (NASCAR) is a sport that is sponsor dependent. I know (GEM) has been working hard to find sponsorship; I'm amazed that (they) found all the sponsorship this year. Mr. Gillett is paying for some of it out of his pocket. I don't expect them to do that every year. For sure, it's a shock to learn someone else is taking your spot. But they are still working to get a fourth car out there — a lot of teams want to go to four cars, and this is one of them. Hopefully it works out. If it doesn't, for me it's a bonus. I've enjoyed the year so much. I hope to do it for many years. If I don't, then I understand. I've been on the other side (of the sponsorship opportunities) with Player's. They used to sponsor me in Champ Car and because of my personality and where I was from, it fit the bill perfectly. So I got a ride for nine years. Over there (at Player's), I was kind of locked in for eight, nine years. This time, I'm on the other side and I'm the one getting the boot. It's part of racing. I'm not pissed off. I kind of expected it. I still hope they find it (sponsorship). They really want to find it. With the economy and the way things are, Reed just fits the bill better. That's fine too."

Carl Edwards on last week's finish and postrace fireworks at Bristol

"No, I don't regret anything. I did what I felt was best at the time and that's fine. In the grand scheme of things looking back on it, I don't even think there was really anything that was that bad about last week. I thought it was just real good hard racing and what happened afterwards is stuff that happens at every short track all around the country every week. The only bad part about it is just tearing up race cars when you don't need to. That's the only bad part."

Matt Kenseth on the new Bud Shootout format

"Whenever they have any kind of special event that you don't have to win a pole to be in it, that's usually good for us because I'm not a very good qualifier. I haven't read all the stuff, but I guess I've only been a part of that race once, maybe twice. You want to be a part of every event, so if they make a different way for qualifying, that's probably good for us."

Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the Bud Shootout format

"I don't know what the extra five laps are for. What the heck? They don't get it, you know what I mean? They've messed up the Winston and the All-Star race and they're messing up the Shootout. They ought to line us up and make us run 10 laps. They want us to run around there for 25 laps first, like a 25-lap segment — that would be cool. But 10 laps to go, all or nothing. That's what the fans want. That's what the drivers want. That last segment being 50 laps, I mean we're all just going to sit there for 30 (laps). I just don't get it. They don't get it. I don't understand. I don't know what the focus group is they're talking to, to get these kind of formats. It's frustrating because I want to like those races. I don't want to dread them and right now I'm dreading running them because the formats aren't fun."