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RICHMOND, Va. — Darian Grubb never really loved being a crew chief during his two short stints atop the pit box at Hendrick Motorsports.

When the team moved him back to an engineering job this season, he vowed not to run a race team again. But when Tony Stewart offered him the chance to crew chief his new team next year, Grubb had a sudden change of heart. Grubb said Friday the opportunity to move to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009 was so good, he simply couldn't turn it down.

"To have the chance to build a championship contending team, and go out and fight from the ground up, and build something around with all these people ... it's everything I've looked forward to in my life," Grubb said. "To be with Tony, with his capabilities as a driver and the past championships, the future heading forward is extremely bright."

Tony Stewart hires Darian Grubb as crew chief of new NASCAR team....

By JENNA FRYER

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — If Ryan Newman is indeed in line to join Tony Stewart's new team next season, neither driver is saying.

Stewart said Tuesday he's still trying to fill the two-car lineup at Stewart-Haas Racing, while Newman joked the only new offer he's received was to drive for one of Stewart's sprint car teams.

All kidding aside, Newman is believed to be the top candidate to drive for Stewart next year. The Daytona 500 winner announced last week he'll leave Penske Racing at the end of the season, a decision that makes him the top current free agent.

Newman, Stewart play coy on potential partnership....