NASCAR: Ryan Newman’s injuries ‘serious but not life threatening’

NASCAR and Roush Fenway Racing have released statements about driver Ryan Newman, stating that he is in serious condition but that his injuries are not life threatening.

In a last-lap crash in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Ryan Newman’s #6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford was sent up the track and into the SAFER barrier.

Newman was leading the race coming to the checkered flag when slight contact with the #12 Ford of Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, who had a good run on him from second place, went wrong and sent him around, causing the wreck to ensue.

Newman’s #6 Ford spun before it hit the wall and then flipped over onto its top. But the scariest part took place when the airborne car was struck by the oncoming #32 Ford of Go Fas Racing’s Corey LaJoie.

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After his #6 Ford finally came to rest on its top after skidding for several hundred yards, it was flipped back over by the safety crew and he was extracted from it.

But nothing was known about his condition at the time, and that remained the case for what seemed like an eternity. It was confirmed, however, that he was transported to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.

After several hours, it was revealed that Newman’s injuries are not life threatening, although he does remain in serious condition.

NASCAR president Steve Phelps addressed the media after this news was made available.

Here is a statement.

Roush Fenway Racing also released a statement of their own.

Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with Ryan Newman as he battles whatever injuries he suffered in this horrific crash, and we will most certainly remember his close friends, fans, family and the entire NASCAR community in those thoughts and prayers as well as they stand by him as he battles through this condition.