Stewart: Huge turning point in my career

A day after being granted a release from Joe Gibbs Racing, Tony Stewart officially began a new era in his illustrious career.

In a packed Thursday news conference broadcast live from the media center at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, the two-time Sprint Cup Series champion made the expected announcement that he has become a 50 percent owner of Haas CNC Racing. The new team will be named Stewart-Haas Racing.

"I thought when we got in here there was a real cool menu for the buffet today... I've never seen this many media people in here before," Stewart said. "Obviously this is a huge day for me. It's, you know, this is a huge turning point in my career obviously."

At the conclusion of this season Stewart will end a decade-long relationship with JGR that saw him win 32 Sprint Cup Series races and the Series championship in 2002 and 2005. Stewart is also an owner of two United States Auto Club teams and two Sprint Car teams in the World of Outlaws.

"I think since 2001 when we started our first World of Outlaws team, I think as time has gone on I've started to understand the value of it and what it means to me in my life," he said. "I've really enjoyed that aspect of my life over the last seven years."

Stewart admitted that eight years ago he never imagined owning his own team, but over time he discovered his passion for that side of the sport. He also realized ownership can keep him involved with racing for decades to come.

"It's hard to just walk away from a sport," he said. "This gives me an avenue if the day comes that I can't drive a race car or don't want to drive a race car anymore, I can still be involved heavily in NASCAR."

The two-car Haas CNC team currently runs the No. 70 and No. 66 cars, respectively driven by Johnny Sauter and Scott Riggs. While Stewart will drive one of the cars in 2009, it's been reported that Ryan Newman may leave Penske Racing to be the second driver for Stewart's team.

"It's an unbelievable day for our organization," said Haas CNC general manager Joe Custer. "We welcome Tony. We welcome his talent, his leadership, his passion... everything he brings to this sport."

Stewart, last year's winner in Joliet, seeks similar success in Saturday's LifeLock.com 400 to solidify his top-12 spot in the overall standings.

It's been a frustrating season for Stewart as he continues searching for his first win of 2008. In addition to a string of rough luck in several races, illness forced Stewart to leave last week's race early. J.J. Yeley finished the Daytona race driving the No. 20 car.

"Trust me, I've felt like a pin cushion this week with needles in my arms," Stewart said. "I have not enjoyed that part. I do feel better. I started feeling better Tuesday evening."

While nothing has been confirmed, it's anticipated that 18-year-old phenom Joey Logano, who won his first Nationwide Series race in just his third start for JGR earlier this season, will drive the No. 20 car in 2009.

"I think what you've seen so far, I think he has as good of a chance as any 18-year-old to come into this sport and succeed," said Greg Zipadelli, Stewart's longtime crew chief who will remain with JGR. "Can he do it? I think he's got as good of a shot as anybody else."

For now, though, Stewart and Zipadelli remain committed to getting the No. 20 car back on a winning track this season before parting ways.

"From here on out we have 18 races to kind of redeem ourselves and put this behind us," Zipadelli said.