Ryan Newman, second driver of Stewart-Haas Racing finally cleared his 77 race drought during Saturday’s race at Phoenix International Speedway in his number 39 Tornados Chevrolet.  He has not won in more than two years and it has been 77 races since his last win.  Needless to say, he was ecstatic as was his car owner and teammate, Tony Stewart.

The win came from Newman taking two tires on a very late caution in the Subway Fresh Fit 600.  Jeff Gordon won the race off pit road with Newman right behind him.  Newman successfully managed to get past Gordon on the green-white-checkered finish and hold him off for the final two laps of the race to take the checkered flag.  Smart move on the crew’s part to take two tires. 

Now, this win was a win for both Newman and Stewart.  Last year, Stewart found himself in victory lane, but Newman did not unless it was to congratulate his teammate and owner of his 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet.  This year, Newman was the first of the two to make it to victory lane and Tony couldn’t be prouder.  It makes him being an owner finally complete with both team cars having a win.

Stewart left Joe Gibbs Racing two years ago to go into half partnership for Stewart-Haas Racing.  It was a big decision for him, a life-changing one and although many worried about how successful Tony and his team would be, he has proven that he is a successful owner and driver.

Newman’s last win came in 2008 when he won the Daytona 500.  Newman found himself struggling after this win the rest of the season.  He then later announced that he would join his friend Tony Stewart and his new venture and leave Penske Racing.  Although he didn’t start off as well as Tony in the first season, he did (along with Stewart) make it into the Chase for the Sprint Cup where he finished ninth in points at the season’s end.

This year, Newman and Stewart both hope to make it into the Chase again.  Tony is currently in the Top 12 sitting in ninth after losing a position for his 23rd finish at Phoenix.  Newman, however, gained six positions in the points with his victory and is now in 16th only 54 points behind 12th position Kyle Busch.

Hopefully, Newman and Stewart both have more victory lane appearances to come this season.

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