STEWART-HAAS RACING - RYAN NEWMAN TELECONFERENCE - August 15, 2008
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MIKE ARNING:
“Good morning, everyone. We want to welcome you to this morning's press conference. Obviously you pretty much know what it's all about. We'll go ahead and introduce our folks. Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart and general manager of Haas CNC Racing, Joe Custer.
“Tony, it's pretty obvious why we're all here today. It's capped off a month-long bit of announcements, but today another important piece of the puzzle at Stewart Haas.”
TONY STEWART:
“We were joking about it before we came over here. This is the best kept secret. I'm like, are you kidding me? I don't know that anything I've done in the last eight months has been a secret.
“But this is an exciting day. I mean, it's very important to Stewart Haas Racing obviously. You know, being able to announce that we've got Ryan on board is something that we've all been looking forward to since the day that we first spoke with Ryan and Krissie about coming over here and joining the team.
“So we're just more excited to be able to let everybody else know. We know what it's done for the organization once we announced that I was coming over. The flood of personnel that have come over and wanted to join the team since we made that announcement has been huge. With the addition of Ryan coming on board now, I think it's even going to make that list even grow larger.
“It keeps giving us a greater depth of people that we have as an option now to get over to the race team and add to the people that we have right now. It makes this team even stronger than what it was a couple weeks ago already.”
MIKE ARNING:
“Ryan, this brings together two Indiana natives, two guys with a lot of deep USAC roots. Why make the decision to move to Stewart Haas next year?”
RYAN NEWMAN:
“Just a great opportunity. I think a lot of Tony, from a personal standpoint as well as a driving standpoint. I've seen the success from an ownership standpoint with the USAC cars and the World of Outlaws cars. I've seen him get the job done at other venues. I just look forward to the opportunity.
“He’s a hard-nose racer, become a good friend as an opposing competitor. So it says a lot about that. I just look forward to the experience. Hopefully our main goal is that we both achieve our goals, and that's winning championships and both being in the Chase.”
MIKE ARNING:
“Finally, Joe Custer, general manager of the team. Joe, you've seen this team grow a lot in the last month. Talk about this latest development to the operation.”
JOE CUSTER:
“It's overwhelming in ways. You know, to have Tony come on board obviously, and now Ryan, it's just unbelievable. We welcome Ryan, of course – Haas Automation, General Motors, all the supporters of our efforts, key players in this. We're thrilled. Tony's led the charge. The program's growing. It's exciting to be part of it. To have Ryan part of it, I mean, what can we say? The Rocket Man is on board.”
MIKE ARNING:
“Just to note, Tony of course is from Columbus, Ind. Ryan is from South Bend, Ind. The two of these guys bring together a combined 57 USAC wins and 45 Sprint Cup wins. We'll make this easy and simple. We'll open it up to the media.”
Q. Tony, Ryan is joining your team next year from a very successful racing operation, Penske. How hard was it to convince him to join your team for 2009? How long did it take to convince him?
TONY STEWART:
“We only had to sedate him for about four straight days (laughter), at which point you have the subliminal messages you just replay over in a loop. After four days of that, I was really surprised, it took really well. Woke up and seemed to think that the week went by really quick (laughter).
“You know what, I think the big thing – talking to Ryan and Krissie, these guys – was just explaining to them how the organization was going to be. Obviously we're not exactly, this year, with the teams where we want to be right now. But the big thing was showing Ryan what we're doing, what steps we're taking, how it's going to be different next year, and why I think it's going to be successful.
“The thing that impressed me the most about Ryan was he asked all the right questions, from day one. You know, the thing with Ryan was it wasn't about, we've still never spoke about a dollar in the contract. I mean, from day one, the questions that he had for me were all about how are we going to win races, how are we going to win championships, how are we going to get the right people in place to do the right jobs.
“Those were the questions that really impressed me the most with Ryan. It was first and foremost about how he was going to run and how we were going to ensure that we were going to give him quality cars and equipment and people to surround him to give him that opportunity.”
Q. Ryan, I just wonder if you had any reservations coming to a new team after being with an established team? Also could you give a little background? How long have you and Tony been friends? Were you friends when you started out, enemies? What maybe turned the tide there, how your friendship has developed?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“I'd say the biggest reservation kind of happened back in Daytona when we won that race. You know, I was in a situation where I was talking to Roger about the contract. Didn't really materialize to the point. It didn't, period. Just from Tony's standpoint, he was announcing his plans and I was in limbo about my plans and things just kind of came together.
“As far as answering the part about Tony and my history – from racing USAC midgets, Silver Crown cars, he was, I'd say two to three years ahead of me as far as where his curve was, moving up, getting to NASCAR and racing in what was the Busch Car National Series. I went to him for advice. He actually – I don't know if he remembers this – he asked me to come out to an IRP test when I was down at Indy when he was racing one of his Nationwide cars then. Just to come out and be a part of it as somebody that knew where I was and where I wanted to go, where he was and where he was going. He's always been a friend. He's looked out for me. That said a lot even back then.”
Q. Tony, could you talk a little bit about the sponsorship situation for Ryan's branch of the team? In your new role as an owner, are you finding that sponsors are very gettable even in this economy for the team? Are you seeing effects of the economy, too?
TONY STEWART:
“We're all seeing effects of the economy from the sponsorship side obviously. But there are sponsorships available. It's just finding the right packages and the right combinations. Instead of seeing one company come in and just take the whole car, you're seeing a lot of deals being made where organizations are sharing the car over the course of a year. I think that's something that you'll see a lot more of in the future.
“We're currently working on sponsors for Ryan's car. We were hoping to have them done for today, but we didn't get it done in time. So hopefully in the next couple weeks we'll have something locked down on that side.
“But it's just making sure that we put the right partners together. When you're working with multiple sponsors, it's making sure that you have the continuity between the two to make sure it works for both parties. It makes it a little harder and the process is a little harder to get the contract it is done.”
Q. Are you close enough that it's down to fine details?
TONY STEWART:
“I'm not sure we're down to fine details yet, but we're getting close.”
Q. Ryan, can you tell us what other teams you talked to? Did you seriously consider other offers? What about this made it better than the others?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“Yeah, without naming names, there were an easy three other teams that made me offers on offer sheets.
“To answer the second part of the question, it was mostly Tony. Obviously I saw the shop. I saw the backbone, the foundation that Haas had laid with their efforts. You know, talking to Tony and his people, it seemed to be the best decisions for the right reasons. That's what it was all about. I always said I was fortunate having options, to have that option to go what I thought was the best place to do the best thing for me and my long-term goals.
“When Tony's situation came to light and those things became more public, it was easier to understand those things for me.”
Q. Tony, 10 of your last 12 Sprint Cup races have been top-10 here at Michigan. What are your thoughts going in to this weekend?
TONY STEWART:
“I'm excited. Obviously the last two weeks we've had runner-up finishes. That's the kind of momentum you want getting ready for the Chase. It helped us a lot with the points last week. It was more than a second-place finish. Obviously, when it's a place you've had some success at, and we haven't had a lot of wins here, but we've had a lot of consistent top-five, top-10 finishes. So right now, with the situation that we're in, I shouldn't say comfortable, but we're in a little better spot than we were a couple weeks ago in the points situation, having a good race this weekend would be very huge to us.
“You know, obviously getting to run both cars this week, I'm excited about trying to help continue that streak with the Nationwide side, that team, and at the same time maybe hopefully getting our first win of the season here this weekend.”
Q. Ryan, how hard has it been or how frustrating has it been for you to be at an organization where you have one of the most successful owners in all of motorsports, but he's kind of an absentee owner, and now you go to a guy who is the ultimate wheel man, the ultimate racer, and looks out for other racers? Did that have a lot to do with your decision to have a guy that you knew is as devoted as Tony?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“Absolutely. And I think, if you look at the history of Roger Penske, and Roger didn't have the ultimate stats that Tony Stewart does, but Roger was a racer. You know, that I think is extremely important to me to have somebody that understands the driving part of it, the ownership part of it, the teammate part of it, the personnel part of it, which is extremely important nowadays. That meant a lot.
So, yeah, Roger, I still have a lot of respect for him, and look forward to the rest of the season, fulfilling my obligations. But I definitely see the true racer and the potential future businessman in Tony Stewart.”
Q. Tony, I see a bunch of new team players. Obviously we recognize Ryan and some of the PR people here. There's a lot of team to be put together. Can you have any comments on where you're at putting together the rest of the team at this point?
TONY STEWART:
“Yeah. We've been in a lot of meetings in the last four weeks with a lot of different people from different organizations that have come to us wanting to be a part of this. Joe has been a huge part of that. You know, it's just talking to the right people.
“You know, it's like I was telling somebody, you don't have an option until you have at least two people. You know, we've had more than that in a lot of categories that have come to us. So we have options with people, it's just now sitting down and trying to figure out, just like what I've learned from Joe Gibbs Racing and Joe himself, sitting down and taking the time to figure out which of these people is the right person, making sure that we're picking people that personality-wise are going to match and work well together, and just being smart about it. That's where Joe comes into play with helping out with that.
“You know, like I say, it's nice having options. With the announcement today, hopefully even more people are going to come out and want to be a part of the program because of Ryan. That just gives us that many more options and people to choose from hopefully.
“But it is coming together. We are getting people hired. We have commitments from people that we're currently working on contracts right now that are some key people that we think are really going to be able to help us build this program.”
Q. Ryan, how does this change your relationship with Penske Racing? If it does, how do you reassure them this year things are going to continue how they've been – your lame duck status with the team.
TONY STEWART:
“Easy. Don't knock him down (laughter).”
RYAN NEWMAN:
“When Roger and I shook hands, saying I wasn't going to come back, he knew from my standpoint that I was going to be the dedicated driver I've always been, and I will do my best for myself, most importantly, but as well as the sponsors and Alltel, Kodak – people that have obviously been a big part of my career.
“I’ve focused just as much on driving the No. 12 car as I will be next year driving the No. 4 car. You know, like I said, I still have a lot of respect for Roger. I believe Roger still has a lot of respect for me. We'll continue on. As I said to Roger, it's going to be business as usual. That will end at the end of '08.”
Q. Tony, when you look at where these teams are right now, you're not guaranteed a spot in the top-35 for next year. How important was it to get a guy who is a great qualifier in that second car?
TONY STEWART:
“Well, that wasn't as big a factor as just knowing that we've got somebody that's as passionate about our program as we are and somebody that we know is going to be competitive every week. That's something that Ryan's already proved in his career in the Cup Series.
“You know, obviously we're working really hard to keep Scott (Riggs, driver of the No. 66 Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet) in the top-35 right now, and that would ensure that Ryan doesn't have to do what he does best, that's going out and getting front rows and poles and everything. We're trying to work really hard the rest of the season to accomplish that so we don't put that pressure on Ryan. That's something that's really big to the organization right now, that we do everything we can to keep that 66 car in the top-35 in points. Let him worry about going out and racing, not worrying about going out and qualifying the first five weeks.”
Q. Can you address how you told Tony about this? And what do you think about the No. 4?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“We sat down at the shop, we talked about it, signed the paperwork. I told Tony, ‘The bottom line is, I'm here to have fun. I want to have fun with you.’ I know he wants to have fun doing this. That's what racing hasn't been a whole lot of for me lately due to the fact we had success in '02, '03, part of '04, and since then it hasn't been as successful. Therefore, some of the fun is gone with that. I look forward to having fun again.
“The No. 4; I know what that means to Tony Stewart. I have numbers that mean more to me than the No. 4 does. But I'm here at Stewart Haas Racing and I respect the No. 4 and his decision. He told me it was his first go-kart number. That means a lot to me because I have some of my first race cars with the No. 43 on them, which obviously are notorious here. I look forward to representing that number with this team.”
Q. What about the sense of humor, Tony?
TONY STEWART:
“We don't have senses of humor. Very dull, quiet people, both of us (laughter).
“No, the thing is, there's going to be a lot of work involved in what we're doing here, but at the same time, I mean, we've got a teammate now and we've got an organization that realizes that . . . the first couple times we walked in the shop, everybody was pretty tense around there. But the more you go around there, the more you laugh and joke around with the guys, the more relaxed they are, the more you see the intensity on their faces going forward.
“To see somebody like Ryan and me around there each day I think will be something those guys will like. Ryan likes to fish. I like to fish. We both raise baby deer. We have a lot of common interests. I think this is something we're both going to have a lot of fun doing.
“The competition side will probably be rougher with us going fishing than anything. It's probably going to be the toughest part of it. The first time he gets me in a boat and gets me out about 50 feet and says, ‘All right, we're fishing for paychecks today.’ I'm swimming back. If I drown, you guys will know what happened.
“But we're going to have a lot of fun with this. That's something that is important. As hectic and busy and tedious as the schedule keeps getting each year – it grows, it's not gotten easier, it's got harder every year – to have somebody like Ryan on board that you know you're going to have fun with, that makes you look forward to going and having fun every day.”
Q. Ryan, two names I'd like to know how they influenced this decision: Matt Borland and Krissie Newman.
RYAN NEWMAN:
“Good question, especially since she's sitting in the audience.
“Matt Borland, I talked to him a couple times on and off. He's still a great friend of mine. Obviously a super technical person. Has obviously a huge influence at Stewart Haas with respect to the race cars. He was, off the record, a good person to talk to. You know, I appreciated his input.
“Krissie Newman obviously was my sounding board at the house. She would elbow me somewhere between 12 and five in the morning at some points just to wake me up and talk about what I wasn't doing. She was typically more stressed out and high-strung about me making my decision and having a lot of input with that decision. So she was very helpful to me. No different than my parents who helped push me through college, she helped push me through this situation, and I'm very grateful for that.”
Q. Ryan, how much did the removal of Don Miller from the day-to-day workings at Penske change your perception of the company or devotion to the company?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“Don Miller is a great friend. Always has and always will be. That did change some of the things. That didn't change my ultimate decision. It had influence on it, without a doubt. When people are a big part of what makes the race car go fast, again how much fun you can have in doing so, I definitely missed him from Penske Racing. But, you know, we still have our ties with old cars. Just definitely enjoy his friendship still.
“But, yeah, it made a difference, but it wasn't the ultimate reason by any means.”
Q. You both have talked about the importance of people. Both of you will be looking for crew chiefs. Can you just talk a little bit about what you're looking for, Ryan? Tony, are you closer to finding someone?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“For me, you know, I can kind of speak on Tony's behalf as much as he does mine, it's about us having crew chiefs that get along together, and as a group. Between the drivers, crew chiefs, race engineers, they have a common chemistry.
“So, you know, a lot of that is up to Tony and the people at Stewart Haas to make those decisions. Obviously I want to have the input to have somebody I can personally get along with. We'll address that situation as it comes.”
TONY STEWART:
“Yeah, I agree. I mean, that's kind of where we're at right now. We're working to not get just one crew chief, we're working to get a pair of crew chiefs that, like Ryan said, are going to work well together. It helps us work together better as drivers and keeps the organization just that much more intact.
“I've seen multi-car organizations that the crew chiefs were in different directions with each other, and they don't utilize the opportunity of what a two-car team is all about in the right way.
“We're going to rely on Ryan's input as much as anybody's, you know, to make this decision. It's got to be people that we're both comfortable with on both sides. I mean, he has to be comfortable with who is going to be my crew chief. I have to be comfortable with who his crew chief is going to be. I think that's going to make us that much stronger. This gives us a unique opportunity to do that.
“I don't think there's a lot of teams and organizations that have had a scenario where they get to go out at the same time and go after two crew chiefs. So, you know, maybe this is something that will even be that much better for us.”
Q. Ryan, with drivers commonly seen at leaders of the team, what is your role or how do you foresee your role changing or developing with this team in the sense of this is a team that certainly has a lot of room to grow? Are there certain things you're going to have to do more of as a driver than what you've had to do? How are you going to have to change with the change of job?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“That's a good question. And I think a lot of it's unknown. I think the more successful the organization and the team is, the less the driver has to have that input or give that quarterback leadership, let's say. You know, it's going to take some time from a building standpoint, from a personnel standpoint, to be where we want to be as far as the Chase goes and championship-contending teams and organizations.
“I want to have that influence. I want to have that communication. I want to be successful with Tony and with the organization doing so. It's just a matter of the right time and the right place, just like anything else in the world.”
Q. Won't that be the beginning of this process?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“This is the beginning of the process. Just like Tony said, there are going to be people that, hopefully after Tony announces I'm here, will want to come and be part of the organization. That is one of the first. This is the concrete for the foundation, let's say, for building a perfect team, a perfect organization.”
Q. Ryan, when did you sign this? How long does it go until? Did you get any ownership? Do you have any guarantee that Matt Borland will be back next year?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“Did you write that on paper so I can answer it (laughter)?
“When did I sign? Recently.”
TONY STEWART:
“It was under the four days (laughter).”
RYAN NEWMAN:
“I'm not sure I was coherent when I did it (laughter).
“I signed it just recently. We have had discussions for the last little bit. But obviously I had a lot of discussions with a lot of other organizations the last little bit. I mean, I couldn't tell you a day that I decided and all that stuff.
“I forget the other four questions (laughter).”
Q. Any ownership involved?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“Any ownership involved? Not on my part.”
Q. Matt Borland.
RYAN NEWMAN:
“I do not know the status of Matt Borland's contract/agreement, where he stands with the team. That would be a good question for Matt.”
Q. How many years?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“How many years? I'm 30 (laughter).”
TONY STEWART:
“Going to the media center is a hell of a lot more fun now. It's a multi-year agreement.”
RYAN NEWMAN:
“Multi-year agreement.”
Q. Does this change your relationship at all on the track for this year? Ryan, if you see the 20 come up, are you going to be a little easier on him passing you or anything?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“I don't think we've ever been like that, have we?”
TONY STEWART:
“No, not really (laughter).”
RYAN NEWMAN:
“Obviously we're not going to work against each other, but we're not in a position to work for each other either. It's the right time, right place, give-and-take type situation. No different than it ever has been.”
TONY STEWART:
“It's business as usual. It's just about respect out there. We've always had respect for each other, even though we drove for different teams. Now that we're going to be on the same side next year, that respect won't change. It will still be there.”
Q. Any chance you could go over to Haas this year for the final 10 races? How deep does your history go together? Did you both drive for the same owner in USAC?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“I'm contracted and fulfilling my contract with Penske Racing to do what I've been contracted to do for the rest of the year, and that's drive the No. 12 ALLTEL Dodge, try to get in victory lane, win races, do all those things.
“As far as previous ownership, I think there's only one person that I'm aware of we both drove for, that was Steve Chrisman. That was in USAC sprint car.”
TONY STEWART:
“He drove all that stuff after I tore it all up and had gone to another team. He got to drive all the bent stuff (laughter).”
Q. Ryan, this will be your first opportunity to drive for Chevrolet. This organization has the connection with Hendrick Motorsports. How do you feel about the first-time ever with Chevrolet and the fact that you're not just going to drive for a new two-car team, you're going to drive for a team that has a strong relationship with a very successful organization?
RYAN NEWMAN:
“Yeah, the Chevrolet part of it I'm excited about. Obviously Tony is super excited about it. It's a new deal for me. I look forward to putting the Chevrolet in victory lane.
“With the tie to Hendrick, that's obviously assumed to be a good thing. That's part of the reason I feel it's going to be successful and I look forward to driving what currently even now is a Hendrick car at Stewart Haas Racing.”