NASCAR Cup Series: Ryan Newman cleared to continue racing
By Asher Fair
NASCAR has cleared Ryan Newman to resume racing after suffering a brain bruise in a horrifying wreck on the final lap of the Daytona 500.
During yesterday’s live broadcast of the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race at virtual Talladega Superspeedway, Roush Fenway Racing NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Newman confirmed that he plans to continue racing whenever the 2020 season resumes.
“I’m excited to be healthy and at some point to get back in the race car when the world starts turning again and thankful for the people and support that I’ve gotten, friends and family and fans, you name it, that have prayed for me and given me this multitude of miracles that has given me this opportunity to get back in the seat at some point,” said Newman.
He was asked if that meant he plans to be back racing whenever NASCAR returns to action, and he stated the following.
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“That’s the absolute plan for sure. I’m healthy…and look forward to being back in the seat for sure.”
Newman has been sidelined since suffering a brain bruise in a horrifying crash on the final lap of the 2020 season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Monday, February 17.
He missed the next three races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Auto Club Speedway and Phoenix Raceway, as Ross Chastain replaced him behind the wheel of the #6 Ford.
But after the race at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, March 8, the season was indefinitely suspended as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, so the 41-year-old South Bend, Indiana native has not missed any races since then.
The only hurdle left to clear prior to a return to racing, aside of the fact that there is no set resumption date for the season itself, was the fact that NASCAR had not officially medically cleared him to continue racing. They released a statement on Sunday afternoon in response to Newman.
“We share Ryan’s enthusiasm in his return to the track. We look forward to Ryan returning to racing as soon as he is medically cleared to race,” they stated.
Now NASCAR has confirmed that he has been medically cleared to resume racing.
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The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season is scheduled to resume on Sunday, May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, although that is subject to change. This date could be pushed back, or action could resume sooner. There are rumors that Darlington Raceway will host a previously non-scheduled race as early as Sunday, May 17.