Never one to shy away from the headlines, Tony Stewart turned heads this April after announcing his intentions to explore his options for the 2009 season. In his tenth year with Joe Gibbs Racing, the two-time Cup Series champion expressed his interest in leaving the team in favor of becoming an owner-driver. Tight-lipped about his negotiations, Stewart kept the media guessing and everyone in the garage and the grandstands wondering what he had up his sleeve.

In one of the greatest relationships in recent years, Stewart and JGR enjoyed great success during their time together. Two Cup Series championships, 33 wins, 129 top-5s and 207 top-10s produced numbers anyone would enjoy.

"I cannot thank Joe and J.D. Gibbs enough for the opportunity they gave me and for the support they've given me throughout my entire NASCAR career," Stewart explained in a team statement. "I've learned so much from them and have a tremendous amount of respect for what they've built."

Stewart answered everyone's questions this July, announcing the formation of Stewart-Haas Racing. Offered a 50% ownership role in the team, Stewart partnered with Haas CNC Racing to secure his legacy in the sport for years to come.

"It was a huge decision-making process, and obviously something that was not made overnight," Stewart told the gathered media at the Chicagoland Speedway in July. "Like we told you guys, this was a long process, and not something that was easy by any means. We did weigh our options heavily as to what was out there, and what our options were. And the opportunity to have ownership of a race team was, in my opinion, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I don't know if an offer of this magnitude has ever been made in this series to a driver."

Forming a two-car team, the new Stewart-Haas Racing was able secure sponsorship from Office Depot and Old Spice for Stewart's No. 14 Chevrolet. News broke in August that 2008 Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman would join Stewart's new team to pilot the No. 39 Chevrolet. The U.S. Army moved over from Dale Earnhardt Inc. to grace the hood of Newman's new ride. Facing some of the toughest economic times in the history of the sport, Stewart was able to use his star-power and winning history to draw not one, not two, but three top-notch companies to sponsor his newest endeavor.

On the crew chief side of things, Darian Grubb made the move from Hendrick Motorsports to become only the second crew chief of Stewart's Cup Series career. Tony Gibson agreed to make the move from DEI to serve atop the pit box for Newman.

Things will not be easy for NASCAR's newest owner-driver, but if anyone is up to the task it's Tony Stewart. Already the owner of both USAC and World of Outlaws teams, in addition to three race tracks, Stewart already knows how to manage the business side of things while getting it done on the track.

For Stewart, leaving the team he got his NASCAR start with was an emotional experience. Ending his ten-year relationship with crew chief Greg Zipadelli was even more difficult. Now with the 2008 season and his time with JGR behind him, Stewart is now out on his own and on a mission to prove he has what it takes to own a successful team.

Expect to hear from the Stewart-Haas brigade during much of the 2009 season. With Stewart and Newman behind the wheel and Grubb and Gibson atop the pit boxes this team should be a force to be dealt with in '09. Being an owner-drive is never an easy thing, but with the support form his three top-tier sponsors and Joe Custer and those on the Haas side of the deal, Stewart should feel comfortable with his chances for 2009 and beyond.