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Stewart Names Number, Sponsors For 2009 Car

Friday, July 25, 2008

(Sports Network) - Two-time NASCAR Cup champion Tony Stewart announced his 2009 car number and sponsors for his new team, Stewart-Haas Racing, in a press conference held Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Stewart will drive the No.14 Chevrolet with Office Depot and Old Spice serving as co-primary sponsors of his team in the Sprint Cup Series.

Stewart's red and black Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet was also unveiled, sporting the No.14, made famous by his long-time racing idol A.J. Foyt.

"Four was my first ever go-kart number that I started with," Stewart said. "Everybody knows that A.J. Foyt has always been my all-time favorite hero. And when this opportunity came about, it was about a five-minute tug-of-war between do I want my first number back or do I want A.J.'s number, and it was pretty easy to decide that I wanted the number that my all-time hero had."

Foyt could not join Stewart for the announcement at Indianapolis since he was in Edmonton, Canada for the IndyCar Series's inaugural running at the Rexall Speedway. Foyt owns a team in the series.

Stewart's future teammate at Stewart-Haas Racing will drive the No.4 Chevrolet. A driver and sponsor have yet to be announced.

Office Depot will sponsor Stewart's car in 60 percent of the races with Old Spice taking over the remaining 40 percent.

"None of us expected or even thought it would be even feasible that this could happen this fast," Stewart said. "It's a great weight lifted off our shoulders. After today, we don't worry about Office Depot and Old Spice, and worry about the second car. It allows us to shift our focus. When you run a two-car program, you have to look out for both of those cars."

Old Spice has supported Stewart's efforts in the Nationwide Series and sponsors his Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH. Office Depot currently sponsors Carl Edward's No.99 Sprint Cup car at Roush Fenway Racing, but is leaving the team at the end of the season.

Two weeks ago, Stewart announced his merger with Haas CNC Racing in 2009 to serve as both driver and owner. He will acquire a 50 percent share of the team.

Stewart was granted a release from the final year of his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing, a move that will take effect at the conclusion of the 2008 season. He will finish the 2008 Sprint Cup season driving the No.20 Toyota for JGR, and will compete in one more Nationwide Series race for the organization, next month at Michigan.

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