Can A New NASCAR Team Be The Equalizer For Drivers?

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Tony Stewart

One driver who had success after leaving his original team was three-time Sprint Cup Champion, Tony Stewart. Stewart reportedly asked to be released from the last year of his contract with Gibbs after the team switched to Toyota in 2008. The reason for this is said to be Stewart wanting to stay loyal to Chevrolet, especially since they sponsored his USAC Midget Sprint Cars.

It was then announced that Stewart would be moving to Haas Automation and purchasing half of the team from owner, Gene Haas. Stewart then renamed the team, Stewart Haas Racing, to reflect his ownership and recruited former Daytona 500 Champion, Ryan Newman to join him at SHR as well.

With the next stage of Stewart’s career set in stone as an owner/driver, he finished a last season for JGR and even managed to capture one final win for the team. He also made The Chase and finished sixth in the final point standings, despite his only win coming at Talladega that year.

While Stewart had a great deal of success with Joe Gibbs Racing, he really flourished as an owner driver at Stewart Haas Racing. Stewart won four races in his first season with the team, made The Chase and even had an average finish of 10.4, which was his best average finish since the 2005 season.

Stewart suffered a slight setback in the 2010 season, only capturing two wins and finishing seventh in the final standings. He followed this up with his best career season since joining Stewart Haas Racing, breaking through for five wins, nine top-five’s and seventeen top-10’s. He also won the championship that season, marking his first title as an owner/driver.