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Report: Newman's move to Stewart-Haas to be announced Friday
By David Newton
ESPN.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-- Ryan Newman will be introduced as the second driver at Stewart-Haas Racing on Friday at Michigan International Speedway, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com on Wednesday.

Newman reached a verbal agreement with Tony Stewart a few weeks ago, but details about his sponsor and other contractual details had to be ironed out before the deal could be officially announced.

The agreement was reached after Joe Gibbs Racing was unable to nail down sponsorship to start a fourth team featuring Newman.

Joey Logano, the 18-year-old phenom, is expected to step into the 20 car being vacated by Stewart after this season.

Stewart, who recently took over 50 percent of Haas CNC Racing, will drive the No. 14 sponsored by Office Depot and Old Spice. Newman will drive the No. 4, with Burger King, U.S. Army and UPS being mentioned as potential sponsors.

Newman also was pursued by Evernham Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing and Petty Enterprises after announcing he would not return to Penske Racing next season.

Penske continues to talk to several candidates, including test team driver David Stremme and Casey Mears, as a replacement for Newman in the No. 12. Sources told ESPN.com's Terry Blount last weekend that Mears was close to an agreement to drive for Richard Childress Racing next season.

Newman will give Stewart-Haas a pair of Indiana-born drivers with a combined 45 victories and 53 poles.

Newman started the season with a victory in the Daytona 500, but the performance of his team has since declined, to the point that he sought other options that could provide him a chance to win a championship.

Newman will be reunited with Matt Borland, now the competition director at Stewart-Haas. Borland was Newman's crew chief at Penske for 12 of his 13 Cup victories.

Attempts to reach Newman and Stewart were unsuccessful.