SHR extends Quicken Loans as Ryan Newman's sponsor

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (AP) - Stewart-Haas Racing announced some much-needed sponsorship Tuesday when Quicken Loans said it will double its commitment to Ryan Newman.

Quicken Loans was new to NASCAR this season with a nine-race sponsorship for Newman's No. 39 team. The company will be back for 18 races next year as the primary sponsor.

The extension comes when team co-owner Tony Stewart is searching for a good chunk of funding for his three-car organization. The U.S. Army has said it won't be back as primary sponsor for Newman, and Office Depot is leaving as a co-primary for Stewart.

The organization is apparently close to announcing a sponsorship agreement with Bass Pro Shops, maybe as soon as this weekend at Talladega.