Thursday, May 12th 'What If' Question

As Tony Stewart announced his departure from Joe Gibbs Racing in late 2008, the dominoes began to fall. JGR had to find his replacement in the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota and would do so in speeding up the career path of Joey Logano. For the 2009 season and beyond the JGR stable would consist of Denny Hamlin in the No. 11 FedEx Toyota, Kyle Busch in the No. 18 M&M's Toyota and now Logano.

Stewart though wasn't done. He would hire Ryan Newman away from Penske Racing to drive the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet. That left Penske searching for a replacement for the No. 12 and found one in David Stremme who would drive without a sponsor that season. Their lineup now consisted of Kurt Busch in the Miller Lite No. 2, Stremme in the No. 12 and Sam Hornish Jr. in the Mobile 1 No. 77.

Since that time a lot has happened to all organizations involved. Stewart became a championship contender in 2009, as he lead the point standings through the first 26 races before stumbling in the Chase. Newman won his first race since 2008 when he found victory lane at Phoenix in 2010. Joe Gibbs Racing has never been better with Busch and Hamlin tearing up the series as they too became championship contenders with Hamlin falling short of dethroning Johnson in the last race of the 2010 season. Logano has also become the youngest Sprint Cup Series winner with a victory in a rain shortened race at New Hampshire.

Penske Racing has gone through many changes. Kurt Busch is now the driver of the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge while Brad Keselowski who was hired in 2010 has moved to the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge. Sam Hornish Jr. has moved to a part time Nationwide Series schedule as the No. 12 and 77 are no more.

But ...

What If Tony Stewart didn't start his team w/Newman & stayed at Joe Gibbs Racing, how different would JGR & Penske Racing be today? #NASCAR

@Talon64: Tony would leave JGR after contract over, maybe still form own team. But Newman would've already left Penske for another team

@Lady31RCR: Where would Joey be....sad face....and I didn't like Tony back then...but he is my #2 driver now!!

@Jrocket10: great "what if". I think the 20 car would be performing much better w/ smoke in it.. Meaning JGR would overall be better

@cruetten: I think Home Depot would be happier,and I never thought Newman and KuBu were that great together--would've gotten worse.