Courtesy photo Standing beside the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet for the 2009 NASCAR season are (from left): driver Ryan Newman; owner Tony Stewart; Maj. Gen. Montague Winfield, commanding general of the U.S. Army Cadet Command, Staff Sgt. Alfred Landry, Sgt. 1st Class David Conklin, Staff Sgt. Phillip Kightlinger and Spc. Eddie Smith.

The owner of Newmanís No. 39 Army Chevrolet is two-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart.

ìWith Tony Stewartís leadership and Ryan Newman behind the wheel, we know that the new U.S. Army NASCAR Racing team will demonstrate the same mental, emotional and physical strengths found in each Army Strong Soldier,î said Maj. Gen. Montague Winfield, commanding general U.S. Army Cadet Command. ìWe are confident that this team of Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman will demonstrate the same ethos that guides our Soldiers - putting the mission first, a refusal to accept defeat, and a never quit attitude.î

Newman, a winner of 13 Sprint Cup races, and Stewart, who will drive the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet during the teamís inaugural Sprint Cup campaign in 2009, have stepped up to be full partners in the U.S. Armyís NASCAR involvement and recruiting missions.

ìI am extremely honored for the opportunity to drive the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet and proud to represent the men and women who serve and protect our country,î said Newman, a 2001 graduate of Purdue University where he earned a degree in vehicle structural engineering. ìThe dedication, teamwork and passion of the Soldiers who defend our country is inspiring, and it will drive myself and everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing to become one of the elite teams in the garage. Every time I drive the Army Chevy and this crew competes at the track, we will give it everything we have to get to Victory Lane.î

The 2009 Sprint Cup season will be the U.S. Armyís seventh as a primary NASCAR sponsor.