Newman Heading Into All-Star Race With a Hot Pace

STEWART-HAAS RACING: WEEKEND LINEUP

May 14-16, 2009

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - Sprint Pit Crew Challenge

Venue / Location:     Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.

SHR Pit Crew Lineup:  No. 14 Office Depot / Old Spice Chevrolet Impala SS Pit Crew

 No. 39 U.S. Army / Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala SS Pit Crew

Time / Date / TV:        7 p.m. EDT on Thursday, May 14 (tape-delayed broadcast on SPEED at 9 p.m.)

Note: Finishing order of the Sprint Pit Crew Challenge determines pit selection for the Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday, May 16.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - Sprint All-Star Race

Venue / Location:   Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. (1.5-mile oval)

SHR Driver Lineup:  Tony Stewart in the No. 14 Office Depot / Old Spice Chevrolet Impala SS

Ryan Newman in the No. 39 U.S. Army / Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala SS

Qualifying:   6 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 15 with live broadcast on SPEED

Note: Time trials will be three laps, including a four-tire pit stop. Total elapsed time of the three-lap qualifying run will determine starting positions for the race. The pit road speed limit will be in effect when cars enter pit road but will not be in effect when cars exit.

Time / Date / TV:     9 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 16 with live broadcast on SPEED

Note: The Sprint Showdown (for drivers not already eligible to compete in the Sprint All-Star Race) begins at 7:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 16 with live broadcast on SPEED.

Newman Heading Into All-Star Race With a Hot Pace

Says Next to Capturing Daytona 500, All-Star Victory was Biggest Win

As the NASCAR points battle switches to the prestigious battle of the Sprint All-Star Race this weekend, Ryan Newman is looking to build on his recent performances, which have made him the hottest driver in the last three Sprint Cup races.

Not only has Newman recorded the best finishing average of 3.67 among all drivers in the last three Cup events, it's the first time he has posted three straight top fives since October 2005.

The current streak for the U.S. Army/Haas Automation driver started with a third-place finish in Talladega followed by back-to-back fourth-place results in Richmond and Darlington. The results have lifted Newman to eighth in the driver point standings after 11 races.

"The guys have done a great job and we're clicking," said Newman, driver of the No. 39 Chevy Impala SS for Stewart-Haas Racing. "To have three straight top fives definitely puts a smile on my face. We haven't won yet, but we're knocking at the door and we're going to get there. There's still a long way to go. The good news is that this Army team is heading in the right direction and we're looking for another strong run in the Soldiers' car."

Though Saturday night's All-Star Race at the 1.5-mile Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte is not a points event, it carries plenty of prestige and pays a lot of money, including $1 million to the winner.

The 31-year-old Newman can speak first hand about the prestige of the All-Star Race. He won the event in 2002, his rookie season in the Cup series.

"Until I won the Daytona 500 (in 2008), the All-Star win was my greatest victory," said Newman, who edged Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the All-Star win. "We beat everybody on a given night in our backyard. We weren't  racing for points but racing for glory and money, and it was a great win."

As a former All-Star Race winner, Newman has an automatic seed in Saturday night's main event, which will feature four segments of 50 laps, 20 laps, 20 laps and culminating with a 10-lap shootout with only green-flag laps counting.

Since the Charlotte area is the hub for NASCAR race teams, winning at Lowe's Motor Speedway always produces an added incentive according to Newman.

"It's Charlotte, it's home field," noted Newman. "There's no home field advantage, but it's home field. It's a very historic race track and a place we all try to shine at. There are a lot of great drivers who have won there. Joining that list is what we all search for."

Newman will have two opportunities to score a win at Lowe's Motor Speedway this weekend. He will also be competing in Friday night's Camping World Truck Series race, driving the No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado for Kevin Harvick Inc. It will be the second career Truck start for Newman, who won in his first Truck race -- at Atlanta Motor Speedway in October 2008.

No. 39 Over-the-Wall Crew (city is hometown)

Front-tire changer:   Mike Trower,New Hampton, Iowa

Front-tire carrier:  Josh Mick, Houston, Texas

Rear-tire changer:  Adam Davis, Walnut Cove, N.C.

Rear-tire carrier:  James Houk, Fair Play, Mo.

Gasman:  Michael Moore, Springfield, Mass.

Jackman:  Andrew Turner, Coloma, Mich.

Catch Can:  Andy Rueger, Seymour, Ind.

Windshield:  Jay Guarneri, Naples, Fla.

 ___________________________________________________

Crew Chief:  Tony Gibson, Daytona Beach, Fla.

Car Chief:  Kevin Pennell, Kannapolis, N.C.

Spotter:  Greg Newman, South Bend, Ind.

Engine Specialist:  Jay Nolan, Jacksonville, Fla.

Engine:  Hendrick Motorsports

STEWART-HAAS RACING

Qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race

Date:               May 15, 2009

Event:             Qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (non-points event)

Series:             NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Location:         Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte, N.C. (1.5-mile oval)

Pole Winner:  Jimmie Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports (121.416 seconds at 44.475 mph)

SHR Lineup:   Ryan Newman (12th, 126.519 seconds at 42.681 mph)

Tony Stewart (15th, 137.788 seconds at 39.191 mph)         

Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 U.S. Army/Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala SS, led the two-car Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) contingent in time trials at Lowe's Motor Speedway by qualifying 12th for Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.  Newman's time of 126.519 seconds at 42.681 mph, which included three timed laps around the 1.5-mile oval with a four-tire pit stop, placed him 12th among the 18 drivers already eligible for the 25th running of the non-points event.

"I was really happy with our car during our qualifying run," said Newman, who won the 2002 All-Star Race.  "I knew we were quick when I had to almost lock up the brakes coming onto pit road.  Unfortunately, we had a problem on our right-front tire with the lug nuts and that cost us."

Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet Impala SS for SHR, qualified 15th.  The co-owner of SHR along with Oxnard, Calif.-based Haas Automation - the largest CNC machine tool builder in the western world - stopped the clocks in 137.788 seconds at 39.191 mph.

"I unwillingly decided to make a change in our pit strategy," said Stewart, who has participated in each All-Star Race since joining the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as a rookie in 1999.  "We changed right-side tires and when the jack went, I went.  Obviously, you can't do that, so I had to back up into the stall and get the left-side tires changed.  Guess that's part of the fun this weekend.  It's a non-points race, so if you make a mistake like that it's really not a big deal."

Jimmie Johnson captured the pole for the All-Star Race with a time of 121.416 seconds at 44.475 mph.  Kurt Busch will start alongside Johnson on the outside of row one, as he timed in at 122.187 seconds at 44.195 mph.  Matt Kenseth (123.185 seconds at 43.837 mph) was third, while Dale Earnhardt Jr., (123.269 seconds at 43.807 mph) and Mark Martin (123.645 seconds at 43.673 mph) rounded out the top-five.

As far as manufacturers went, Chevrolet took the top spot via the pole run made by Johnson.  Dodge was next best at the hands of Busch.  Ford was the third-fastest make thanks to Kenseth.  And carrying the flag for Toyota was 13th-quick Kyle Busch (126.756 seconds at 42.602 mph).

The All-Star Race gets underway on Saturday, May 16 at 9 p.m. EDT after the undercard Sprint Showdown is completed.  SPEED will carry live coverage of both races beginning at 7 p.m. 

Newman to Start 12th in All-Star Race

Ryan Newman will start 12th in Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte.

In Friday evening's qualifying session, which consisted of three laps and a four-tire pit stop, Newman's U.S. Army/Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala SS recorded a time of 126.519 seconds on the 1.5-mile oval.

"The car was fast, but we had a problem with a lug nut on the pit stop and that really cost us," said Newman. "The All-Star Race will have a lot of intensity and I think there's going to be a lot of crazy things happening before the final 10-lap segment. It's going to be fun and exciting for the fans."

The pole winner was Jimmie Johnson (121.416 seconds). Rounding out the top five in order were: Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin.

Newman's teammate, Tony Stewart, qualified 15th.

The 100-lap/150-mile All-Star Race will consist of the following:

  • First segment - 50 laps
  • Second segment - 20 laps
  • Third segment - 20 laps
  • Final segment - 10 laps

During the first segment, there will a mandatory green flag stop on Lap 25, with teams required to change all four tires. Between the first two segments there will be a yellow flag period allowing for fuel, tire changes and normal chassis adjustments. Between the third and final segments, a 10-minute pit stop will allow for the same work to be done.During the fourth and final segment, only green flag laps count.

The Sprint All-Star Race is scheduled to start at approximately 9 p.m. ET. SPEED TV will begin live coverage at 7 p.m. with the Sprint Showdown race, a preliminary event for teams not qualified for the All-Star Race. The top-two finishers from the Showdown will advance into the All-Star Race along with a fan-voted entry. A total of 21 drivers will compete in the main event.

STEWART-HAAS RACING

NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Report

Date:             May 16, 2009

Event:           NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (non-points event)

Series:          NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Location:      Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte, N.C. (1.5-mile oval)

Winner:        Tony Stewart of Stewart-Haas Racing (Chevrolet)

SHR Finish:  Tony Stewart (Started 15th, Finished 1st / Running, completed 100 of 100 laps)

Ryan Newman (Started 12th, Finished 18th / Accident, completed 93 of 100 laps)            

Tony Stewart won Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte, N.C., to lead the two-car Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) contingent in the non-points event.

Stewart led only once for two laps, but they were the most important ones, as he paced the final two circuits around the 1.5-mile oval after getting by Matt Kenseth for the lead on lap 98 of the 100-lap event.

It was Stewart's first victory as driver/owner for SHR, which he co-owns with Oxnard, Calif.-based Haas Automation, the largest CNC machine tool builder in the western world. Stewart became the first driver/owner to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup sanctioned event since Ricky Rudd won a point-paying race in October 1998 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

It was also the first All-Star race win for Stewart, who had four top-10 finishes in 10 previous starts in the event. Stewart became the second driver/owner to win the All-Star Race, joining Geoff Bodine, who accomplished the feat in 1994.

Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 U.S. Army/Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala SS for SHR, finished a disappointing 18th after battling with the leaders for much of the last part of the race. However, damage from an accident on lap 93 with Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch ended his night seven laps shy of the scheduled 100-lap distance.

Stewart defeated Kenseth by .971 of a second to win the All-Star Race and the accompanying $1 million payout. Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards rounded out the top-five. Mark Martin, Kyle Busch, rookie Joey Logano, Jamie McMurray and Dale Earnhardt Jr., comprised the remainder of the top-10.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to point-paying racing on May 24 with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. The longest race on the Sprint Cup schedule gets underway at 5:45 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by FOX beginning at 5 p.m. 

Newman's Shot at All-Star Victory Halted with Late-Race Accident 

Ryan Newman was in contention to win Saturday night's Sprint All-Star Race, but a late-race incident relegated him to a frustrating 18th-place finish at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte.

The U.S. Army/Haas Automation driver overcame major problems early in the race, and with fewer than 10 laps remaining, he was battling for the lead and the $1 million first-place prize. But his charge to the front got stymied on Lap 92 of 100 when he got tangled in an incident with Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon as the three drivers were running neck-and-neck for the lead.

The accident caused Newman's Army Chevrolet to slam into the wall resulting in serious right-rear damage and a cut tire. When the race was restarted on Lap 93, Newman was positioned in second place, but he could only run a lap before he was forced to retire to the garage due to the deflating tire.

"I guess you could say it was a roller coaster ride for the Army team," said crew chief Tony Gibson. "We had a really fast car at the end and had a great shot at taking the big prize. But when there's a million dollars and a lot of prestige on the line you're doing everything you can to get to the finish line first. That's exactly what Ryan, Kyle and Jeff were doing at the time of the incident."

With those three drivers knocked out of contention it allowed Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth to battle for the lead with Stewart overtaking Kenseth on the second to final lap to claim his first All-Star win.

"A great run for our teammate and team owner," said Gibson. "A big win for everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing."

Newman, who won the All-Star Race in 2002, qualified 12th for the four-segment non-points event. Newman's No. 39 machine was strong early, but late in the first segment (Lap 32 of 50) he made an unscheduled pit stop due to a shock issue. The Army crew attempted to fix the shock problem after the first segment, but the problem prevailed as Newman was running in the back of the 21-car field. 

The Army team decided to replace the malfunctioning shock after the second segment. The decision paid off. When the fourth and final segment got underway, which consisted of 10-laps of only green-flag racing, Newman was running in ninth place and charging to the front.

"I am proud of how this Army team demonstrated strength by soldiering back from adversity," noted Gibson. "We're going to get that win, I just know we are."

The Army/Haas Automation team will return to Lowe's Motor Speedway Sunday (May 24) -- for the Coke 600 Memorial Day weekend race.