CONCORD, N.C. (Army News Service, Oct. 10, 2008) - The Army Accessions Command announced Thursday that it will sponsor Ryan Newman, the reigning Daytona 500 champion, and his No. 39 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.
The owner of Newman's No. 39 Army Chevrolet is two-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart.
"With Tony Stewart's leadership and Ryan Newman behind the wheel, we know that the new U.S. Army NASCAR Racing team will demonstrate the same mental, emotional and physical strengths found in each Army Strong Soldier," said Maj. Gen. Montague Winfield, commanding general U.S. Army Cadet Command. "We are confident that this team of Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman will demonstrate the same ethos that guides our Soldiers - putting the mission first, a refusal to accept defeat, and a never quit attitude."
Newman, a winner of 13 Sprint Cup races, and Stewart, who will drive the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet during the team's inaugural Sprint Cup campaign in 2009, have stepped up to be full partners in the U.S. Army's NASCAR involvement and recruiting missions.
"I am extremely honored for the opportunity to drive the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet and proud to represent the men and women who serve and protect our country," said Newman, a 2001 graduate of Purdue University where he earned a degree in vehicle structural engineering. "The dedication, teamwork and passion of the Soldiers who defend our country is inspiring, and it will drive myself and everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing to become one of the elite teams in the garage. Every time I drive the Army Chevy and this crew competes at the track, we will give it everything we have to get to Victory Lane."
The 2009 Sprint Cup season will be the U.S. Army's seventh as a primary NASCAR sponsor. The U.S. Army will be the primary paint scheme for 22 point-paying Sprint Cup races in 2009, along with the non-points NASCAR Sprint All-Star race May 16 at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte. For the remaining 14 races, the U.S. Army will serve as an associate sponsor on the No. 39 Chevy Impala SS.
"There is no group of people more dedicated to service and committed to excellence than the men and women of our armed forces," Stewart said. "We take great pride that the U.S. Army has chosen Stewart-Haas Racing as the team to lead its NASCAR effort."
Newman joins current National Hot Rod Association Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher on the U.S. Army Racing Team. Schumacher is seeking his fifth consecutive and sixth overall championship.
Newman has earned a berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup on three different occasions (2003-2005), and owns 43 career pole wins during his seven-year NASCAR driving career. In addition, he captured Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors in 2002. Together, Newman and Stewart have combined for 45 Sprint Cup wins.
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