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Perhaps the most important thing TonyStewart learned from his years driving for Joe Gibbs Racing is that having the right people in place can lead to wins and championships.
Joe Gibbs Racing surrounded Stewart with talented and knowledgable people for 12 years, producing two Cup championships and 29 Cup wins.
J.D. Gibbs, the president of Joe Gibbs Racing and the son of owner Joe Gibbs, said he has complete confidence that Stewart will be as successful as an owner as he is as a driver.
Time will tell. Very few drivers have made the successful transition to owner. Dale Earnhardt was probably the last, putting together three Daytona500-winning teams.
Stewart hasn’t said much about his venture into Cup ownership. He talked about it before the Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July and again before the race two weeks ago at Michigan International Speedway, where he introduced Ryan Newman as the driver of the team’s second car. Stewart will continue driving for his own team.
“I think it’s what I’ve learned from Joe Gibbs and J.D., and you know, you win races and championships with people; it’s not with fancy race cars and by having trick strategies,” Stewart said before the Brickyard 400 in July. “That’s not what happens in the long haul. In the long run, it’s people.”
Michael Waltrip made the transition from driver to owner two years ago, when he left Dale Earnhardt Inc. to start his own team using Toyota engines.
“I really didn’t care what people thought about my decision to own one, so I just hope people understand that (Stewart) doesn’t really care what they think about him wanting to own a team,” Waltrip said.
Stewart is in a different situation than Waltrip. Stewart is buying into an existing team. Their shops are built, their cars are bought, their equipment and suppliers are in place.
“He has a very, very, financially set partner in Mr.Haas,” Waltrip said. “He’s bought the shop, he’s got the team. To me, it’s not that big of a deal. Tony’s going to go there and bring in new people and bring in a fresh attitude.”
