Newman leaving Penske

[Aaron]

I just saw the announcement that Ryan Newman is leaving Penske at the end of the season.  I wonder if he will sign on with Tony?

[Olebiker]

I'd bet on it.

[Pencil Pusher]

It was announced on Speed channel that the Stewart-Haas team would be two cars with Tony and Newman driving.

[Zel]

Nothing to do with this post, but thought I'd share a funny little story about Roger Penske. He owned Nazareth Speedway before they shut it down in 2004. He is a very generous donator to worthy causes. My oldest daughter worked with children at one of the organization he donated to. He only ever asked for one thing in return, that the staff help out at the track on raceday. So my daughter was directing traffic in the parking lot on a raceday when a big stretch limo pulled up. The driver got out of the limo and came over to her and said he was going to park right in front of the track entrance. She said NO WAY! (she can be very forceful at times). She told him she was instructed that no one is allowed to park in front of the racetrack for any reason. She made the driver get back into the limo and drive away because he was not going to hold up traffic. About 10 minutes later the limo came back. The driver again got out and said Roger Penske was in the limo, and he'd really like to park in front of the entrance. (So she threw Roger Penske out of his own racetrack). She told the driver (to paraphrase) Why didn't you tell me this the first time, of course he can park there. He owns the track. After they parked the limo, Roger had a nice conservation with her and asked her to come into the racetrack. She said no, because she was bad luck for drivers. She explained that when she was young her dad took her to Pocono for the races. In a matter of a few years every driver she picked to root for had died. And that she decided to never follow racing again. Just as she was finished telling Roger the story, they heard a nasty crash coming from inside the racetrack. He told her... Well okay then, I guess it is better you stay out here.

[burleytog]

Perhaps Newman grew tired of dealing with Dumbo.

[J_Zink]

Nothing to do with this post, but thought I'd share a funny little story about Roger Penske.  He owned Nazareth Speedway before they shut it down in 2004.  He is a very generous donator to worthy causes.  My oldest daughter worked with children at one of the organization he donated to.  He only ever asked for one thing in return, that the staff help out at the track on raceday.  So my daughter was directing traffic in the parking lot on a raceday when a big stretch limo pulled up.  The driver got out of the limo and came over to her and said he was going to park right in front of the track entrance.  She said NO WAY! (she can be very forceful at times).  She told him she was instructed that no one is allowed to park in front of the racetrack for any reason.   She made the driver get back into the limo and drive away because he was not going to hold up traffic.  About 10 minutes later the limo came back.  The driver again got out and said Roger Penske was in the limo, and he'd really like to park in front of the entrance.  (So she threw Roger Penske out of his own racetrack).  She told the driver (to paraphrase) Why didn't you tell me this the first time, of course he can park there.  He owns the track.  After they parked the limo, Roger had a nice conservation with her and asked her to come into the racetrack.  She said no, because she was bad luck for drivers.  She explained that when she was young her dad took her to Pocono for the races.  In a matter of a few years every driver she picked to root for had died.  And that she decided to never follow racing again.  Just as she was finished telling Roger the story, they heard a nasty crash coming from inside the racetrack.  He told her... Well okay then, I guess it is better you stay out here.    

Actually, Penske sold Nazareth to ISC along with Fontana and Michigan several years before it closed.  IIRC, the grandstands from Nazareth were taken down and moved to Watkins Glen upon the tracks closing.