--Well, its official: Ryan Newman is NOT returning to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014. At least he has plenty of options…and by "options", of course I mean "teams that may or may not be money-laundering schemes".
--In related news, Kevin Harvick is (as was reported much earlier) going to Stewart-Haas Racing, taking Newman's old ride and bringing at least one sponsor (Budweiser) with him. The #39 will become the #4 next year, thus honoring the great legacy of Phil Parsons and Mike Skinner.
--Now that Harvick's move is official, the next domino to fall should be Austin Dillon ascending to the #29 (or #3) ride for Richard Childress Racing. No word on who will be the primary sponsor, but look for a combination of Jimmy John's, Rheem, and Incredibly Stupid Cowboy Hats.
--Perhaps its a coincidence, but Tony Stewart's car will feature an all-black paint scheme this weekend. Smoke might be in mourning that he will have no competition for the Heaviest Driver at SHR in 2014.
--And in other news, Jack Roush says that he is "scaling back" his involvement in Roush-Fenway Racing, devoting more time to dusting and collating his Mark Martin Team Caliber diecast collection.