Newman agrees to 1-year deal with SHR

   Ryan Newman has agreed to a one-year contract extension with Stewart-Haas Racing, the Observer and ThatsRacin.com have learned.

   The extension will ensure Newman is the driver of SHR's No. 39 Chevrolet through the end of the 2013 season, two sources confirmed on Wednesday night. Newman and SHR have been involved in negotiations for several weeks.

   Both Newman and team co-owner Tony Stewart have said repeatedly in recent weeks they were close on a deal. An official announcement from the team could come as soon as this weekend, sources said. 

   A request for comment by SHR officials wasn't immediately returned.

   Newman, 34, has 16 wins in his 11-plus seasons in the Sprint Cup Series, including one this year at Martinsville, Va. He has finished a career-best sixth in points three times, most recently in 2005.

Ford Racing statement on Joey Logano's move to Penske

   Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing, statement on Penske Racing announcement of Joey Logano coming to the No. 22 Fusion beginning in 2013:

   "We welcome Joey to the Penske Racing Ford program next season," said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. "Joey is a proven winner in NASCAR, and we think he, along with Brad, will give the Penske Racing-Ford team a strong 1-2 punch to win races and help us win the manufacturers' championship.

   "Joey now adds to our young lineup of Ford NASCAR drivers for the future, complementing the veteran, championship-battle tested drivers we have in our program right now. It's a great mix of Ford Racing drivers that we believe give us a strong outreach to the passionate fan base and a great opportunity to win NASCAR championships for many years to come."