Who can count the number of NASCAR racing cynics grousing about Tony Stewart’s choice to leave Joe Gibbs Racing to so he could be an owner and driver and with an “also ran” team no less ? Where is the logic?

In 1998, Stewart was stock car racing with Joe Gibbs racing. Stewart won the rookie of the year award at the Winston Cup Series in 1999. His record there was outstanding with 33 races won and 2 championships. Why he left that team to take on ownership of such a lesser-known team with barely 5 top five finishes since 2003 is beyond me.

After only took 8 races Tony Stewart shut down the NASCAR racing critics by finishing in the top ten in 6 of those races. Tony Stewart is fourth in the Sprint Cup standings, right along with heavy hitters like Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.

Furthermore Stewart improves every week! At Phoenix, Stewart hit second place, his best finish to date. Stewart is favored to win at the Talladega Super Speedway. If Stewart wins that NASCAR race, he would be the first driver to win a race in a car that he owns since 1998, when Ricky Rudd won at Martinsville. That would be a fantastic feat for Stewart.

Not only is Tony Stewart in the top 5 in Sprint Cup standings, but also in driver rating and average running position. Stewart Haas Racing is using resources from Hendrick Motorsports, a real powerhouse team. Of course they are doing so well so early in this season of NASCAR racing.

Tony Stewart’s teammate, Ryan Newman has not been as successful. Yet the team has improved immensely since the season began. With an uncertain start, after only the 4th race, in Atlanta; Newman nearly lost his place in the top 35 of the Sprint Cup owner’s standings. Ryan Newman is number 17 now and looking to be 12 soon. Newman had top ten finishes at Bristol and Martinsville. Newman saw potential in Tony Stewart’s NASCAR racing ideas at Stewart Haas Racing and accepted the invitation to join his team. Yes, it was a risk to leave Penske Racing. In 2000 Ryan Newman started racing stock cars with Penske Racing part time for the ARCA series. He won 13 races including one Daytona 500.

It is looking good for Stewart Haas Racing with a lot of good management and experience on this NASCAR racing team. With crew chiefs like Darian Grubb and Tony Gibson the team has real talent in the pit. Bobby Hutchens and Matt Borland fill out the team. Hutchens came to the team from Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Newman and Borland worked together at Penske Racing.

Tony Stewart is at ease right now while he directs his own career. As long as he is pleased with the effort and results, there will be no inner qualms. He feels like a win is on the horizon for Stewart Haas Racing. And so do a lot of NASCAR racing fans in the stands.

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