The late Academy-Award winning actor Paul Newman met Eddie Wachs when both men were racing in the Can-Am series in the early 80s. The two remained close friends over the years and talked about some day forming their own team.  When the Atlantic Championship was announced in the summer of 2005, Newman and Wachs joined forces with the stated dream of finding the right driver to win a championship. 

In 2009 John chose to pursue the 2009 Atlantic  Championship with the Newman Wachs team managed by Brian Halahan.  John brought along his long time friend, colleague, and 2008 Atlantic Championship-winning engineer Nick Harvey to join Newman Wachs. This team won the 2009 Atlantic championship, fulfilling the dream as envisioned by Eddie and Paul.

Based just outside Chicago, NWR has partnered with Speed Source Race Engineering for 2010. SpeedSource team owner and driver Sylvain Tremblay has raced continuously since winning the first race he ever entered-an SCCA autocross at age 16. The 2004 season was the debut year for the Speed Source Mazda RX-8 program. This year Speed Source adds the #68 Mazda RX 8 to be driven by John and the reigning Star Mazda Champion Adam Christodoulou.