Stewart Joining Haas CNC More Likely As Possible Sponsors Emerge

By Michael Smith, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

Old Spice Could Be One Sponsor Of Stewart's NASCAR Team In '09

Tony Stewart's move from Joe Gibbs Racing to a team that he'd co-own with Haas CNC Racing in '09 appears more likely now that Office Depot and Old Spice have emerged as leading candidates to sponsor the new ride, industry sources say. Stewart is working to finalize an investment in Haas CNC in the coming weeks and the team likely will be rebranded to take Stewart's name, sources said. With the new team coming together, Stewart's representatives have been pitching a co-primary sponsorship model to prospective sponsors, similar to Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s deal with Amp Energy and National Guard. Brett Frood, COO of Indianapolis-based Tony Stewart Racing, and Eddie Jarvis, Stewart's business manager, have taken the lead on sponsorship sales. Office Depot, in its final season as a sponsor on Carl Edwards' No. 99 car, would represent a new association for Stewart, a two-time Sprint Cup champion. Old Spice has been a Stewart sponsor since he broke into Sprint Cup racing in '99. Subway, also a pre-existing Stewart sponsor, is believed to be in the mix as an associate sponsor on his '09 car.