Smack: The crystal ball is blurry regarding Newman

1. Penske Racing has cut ties with Ryan Newman effective at the end of the year. Is this the best move for both parties?

David Caraviello: A spilt seemed inevitable, but I was a little surprised at the way it went down. Reading through the lines, it seems Penske got tired of waiting for Ryan to make up his mind, and cut him loose.

Raygan Swan: I think Ryan is going to benefit from a fresh start. Penske can troubleshoot through their struggles and Newman, in my opinion, will find long-term success and satisfaction with Stewart's new team.

Joe Menzer: I know Penske pulled the trigger on him, but don't you guys get the feeling that they felt Newman was probably going to leave anyway -- so they more or less tried to save face by breaking up with him first?

David Caraviello: Joe, that's the way it seems. But knowing what a class act Newman is, he might have allowed the separation to look like Penske had initiated it.

Raygan Swan: The way driver-team break-ups happen is always open for interpretation.

Joe Menzer: Like the way Raygs used to cut guys loose before she got married!

Raygan Swan: Ha! I'm not good at break-ups; I go into silent mode, much like Newman these days.

Joe Menzer: "You can't break up with me! I already broke up with you!"

David Caraviello: Ryan even said last Saturday that he was trying to be respectful of Penske during this situation, and given all they've done for him, you can see him letting the eventual separation come from the team -- especially if he has in mind where he'll end up.

Raygan Swan: I could see that, David. Newman is a classy individual with a lot of respect.

Joe Menzer: Either way, I think he was -- and still is -- going to end up with Tony at the new Stewart-Haas operation. And I think, as we've all said, the fresh start probably will be good for him. Plus he would then be reunited with Matt Borland, the man with whom he has had almost all of his success at the Cup level.

Bye Bye Newman

Instead of waiting for Ryan Newman to make a decision, Penske Racing made the first move, announcing they are cutting ties with the driver after the '08 season.

• Complete story, click here
• Menzer: Dominos can fall
• Newman weighing options

David Caraviello: Newman was almost synonymous with the Penske operation, but he had run his course there. Winning the Daytona 500 was about as high as it was going to get. And in all honesty, he deserves better equipment than they've been able to give him.

Raygan Swan: OK guys, can I tell you how exciting that would be for me? Two Hoosiers in one stable, it'd be like the Alabama Gang but with Indiana boys.

Joe Menzer: It really comes back around to a bigger question that has been asked previously: What the heck is going on at Penske and why isn't their NASCAR side of things better with all the resources they have?

Raygan Swan: People working together over there seem to be an issue, as the philosophy has changed with management positions.

David Caraviello: But Newman talks about wanting to win championships. Can he do that in what will essentially be a rebuilding operation, and starting the year outside the top 35? The defending champion could miss the Daytona 500.

Joe Menzer: I bet he won't. No one qualifies better than Ryan Newman.

Raygan Swan: He can, it just won't be immediately, but happiness in the workplace with people you enjoy is worth the wait.

David Caraviello: That's true. But in all honestly, if you want to win a title, isn't that fourth car at Childress a better option? I mean, all three of those cars have run up front for two years now.

Raygan Swan: If I had my pick between Tony and Kevin Harvick, I'd pick Tony every day for a teammate.

Joe Menzer: Perhaps, but have I told you guys how happy I am in the workplace -- working with people such as yourselves that I enjoy. It was worth the wait to get this job!

David Caraviello: So you're saying that the contentment Newman will find alongside his fellow Indianian Stewart will be worth the startup hassles, Joe?

Joe Menzer: No, I was just saying how much I enjoying working with you. But now I'm having second thoughts ... Seriously, I think Newman ends up at Stewart-Haas for better or worse -- and I think they will be competitive out of the gate, better down the road in a year or two. (Continued)