Stewart-Haas puzzle nearly complete with Newman

BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman enjoyed the first of what they hope to be many light moments together on Friday at Michigan International Speedway.

As they walked from the garage area to the media center to formally make the announcement that Newman will become the second driver for newly formed Stewart-Haas Racing beginning next season, Newman nudged Stewart and said with a wink, "This is the best-kept secret."

"Are you kidding me? I don't know that anything I've done in the last eight months has been a secret," Stewart replied.

Indeed, Friday's announcement came as no surprise (read more). Newman had been long rumored as the leading candidate to join Stewart and complete the 2009 driver lineup for the new team, even if Newman insisted Friday that he only recently came to the decision to do so.

Yeah, yeah. And Stewart wasn't really sure he wanted to do this, either, until he and his current employer, Joe Gibbs Racing, decided mutually to split sooner rather than later.

The fact is, this whole Stewart-Haas deal has been coming together all summer like a jigsaw puzzle missing fewer and fewer pieces. The biggest are in place now in Stewart and Newman, and all else should be able to flow forth and fit together neatly from here.

What else can you say about a couple of guys who have known each other since they were working their way through the lower racing ranks in Indiana? Furthermore, both like to fish and, as Stewart noted Friday, "both raise baby deer." Obviously, these two Bambi lovers were meant to be together.

Additional pieces
Stewart also already has lined up sponsorship for what will be his No. 14 Chevrolet in Office Depot and Old Spice, not to mention what he got Chevy to contribute to the Stewart-Haas financial pot as well. Sponsors are sure to come soon for Newman, although Stewart stressed Friday that nothing is completed just yet.

Therein lies the ultimate reason why this is such a good fit. Newman can bring sponsors and ultimately good people to the budding organization -- plus he knows how to drive good cars fast.

The bigger concern is how fast Stewart can put Newman in said good car. While the parties involved keep saying they fully expect to run up front and compete for victories right off the bat next season, others polled in the garage area are much more skeptical.

"I wish them both the best of luck. I think that it'll be fine, but I think it's going to take some time to build that organization to where Tony might want to see it in a few years," said Kyle Busch, Stewart's current teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing. (Continued)