Newman to leave Penske after this season

Penske Racing announced Monday that Ryan Newman will leave the team after this season, enhancing speculation he'll likely join Tony Stewart at Stewart Haas Racing next season (with an annoucement coming as early as next week at Indianapolis).

Newman has raced fulltime with Penske in Cup since 2002. He's been with Penske since 2000. He has 12 career Cup victories, 43 poles and has finished as high as sixth in the points three times.

No replacement for Newman was announced. Penske Racing could be at sort of a crossroads. Newman's sponsor alltel is merging with Verizon _ a competitor of series sponsor Sprint. While alltel was grandfathered in as a sponsor, Verizon is not. so it appears that the No. 12 team likely will lose its sponsor possibly before next season. So, that's a driver and maybe a sponsor Penske will be looking to find for the upcoming season.

Newman wouldn't say Saturday at Chicago what he was doing other than admit he'd had a contract offer from Penske and three other teams. He also said he'd been offered a stake in ownership.

Of course, Stewart's team isn't the only option out there. Richard Childress has an opening in his fourth car and Joe Gibbs Racing has an opening with Stewart leaving (although Joey Logano seems to be the main candidate there).

Here's part of the release from Pesnke about Newman's departure:

“We want to thank Ryan for his hard work and contributions to Penske Racing over the past nine years,” said team owner Roger Penske. “We wish Ryan all the best for the future and we’ll continue to focus our efforts on making the Chase with Ryan and the Alltel Dodge team this season.”

Newman, driver of the No. 12 Alltel Dodge Charger, is currently in his ninth season competing for Penske Racing.  He is ranked 16th in the Cup Series standings through 19 races this season. 

“I appreciate Penske Racing and all they have done for me, but more importantly, I appreciate their friendship and what they have done for my career," said Ryan Newman.  "I would also like to thank all of the sponsors, especially Alltel, who have supported me."

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