Ryan Newman has been said to be the rumored second driver for Tony Stewart's new race team for next season. Stewart has yet to confirm Newman as the prime candidate for his second car, but Newman himself confirmed that he is in the running for the spot before the LifeLock.com Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway two weeks ago.

Newman announced to NASCAR.com's David Caraviello that "driving for Tony's team is an option." He went on to comment on Stewart: "Tony's a great competitor in a great many ways, because he's tough, but he's also respectful," said Newman, like Stewart a native of Indiana. "He's been a good friend on and off the racetrack, specifically off. He's done a lot to help me and guide me. He's an Indiana boy, so I have a different respect for him because of that. But in general, he's just a hard-nosed racer, and I've always appreciated him for that. Whether we argue on the racetrack or not, we're two hard-nosed racers."

Stewart is leaving his long-held seat at Joe Gibbs Racing at the end of this season to become an owner-driver with the newly formed Stewart-Haas race team. The two-time Cup champion will own half the race team, which will start as a two-car operation in 2009. Now that Newman will no longer be affiliated with Penske Racing after this season, the driver of the No. 12 Alltel Dodge and the organization decided to part ways before the Chicagoland race, his name has shot to the top of possible candidates who could join Stewart in his new team. There has been speculation that Stewart would name Newman as his second driver in a press conference as soon as Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The only announcement from Stewart is that he's going to drive the No. 14 car with Office Depot and Old Spice gracing his hoods.

Newman hasn't made his mind up according to sources close to the situation. Joe Gibbs Racing has an opening with Stewart leaving and could sway this year's Daytona 500 winner. Nationwide Series phenom Joey Logano has also been linked with the No. 20. Though it remains to be seen if that was to happen with Newman in a new team or if Newman would jump in the 20 car with Logano in a fourth team for JGR.

Stewart wants a driver not content with running in the top 15 to 20 positions in points and he wants to be able to mesh with that driver. Both drivers want to contend for championships and want to be put in a position to do so. Newman has not made the Chase since 2005 and would like to get back there soon. He comes to Indianapolis ranked 16th in the points and looking to move up.

Newman wants to do way better and be more consistent on the track than he is right now. If Stewart's team is the right fit then so be it, but Newman is going to be a hot commodity as a free agent since Greg Biffle went off the market after re-signing with Roush Fenway Racing for another three seasons. This story will keep going until Newman announces where he's going so stay tuned.