NASCAR: Ryan Newman confirms return plan following injury

NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Newman is set to return to competition whenever real-life action resumes following his horrifying Daytona 500 crash.

Coming to the checkered flag as the leader of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Monday, February 17, Ryan Newman was sent spinning due to contact from behind with the #12 Team Penske Ford of Ryan Blaney.

Newman’s #6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford was sent up the track and into the SAFER barrier before flipping upside down. The oncoming #32 Go Fas Racing Ford of Corey LaJoie slammed into the driver side of the #6 Ford, and several hundred yards later, the #6 Ford came to a rest on its top.

Fans feared the worst as Newman was extracted from the vehicle. He was taken to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.

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Fortunately, he ended up being released within 48 hours, which came as miraculous news considering how horrifying the wreck was, how long the extraction process took, and the manner in which it was conducted.

Newman made clear that he wanted to return to racing as soon as possible. However, given the fact that he had suffered a head injury, he made clear that he wasn’t going to try any shortcuts to get back in the car any sooner.

Ross Chastain was named his replacement for the time being. But after three races of Chastain behind the wheel of the #6 Ford, the season was brought to a screeching halt by the coronavirus pandemic.

It has now been over seven weeks since the most recent Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway, and Newman hasn’t officially “missed” any additional races beyond the three at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Auto Club Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.

During the live broadcast of the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series from virtual Talladega Superspeedway on Fox and Fox Sports 1 on Sunday afternoon, the 41-year-old South Bend, Indiana native announced that he doesn’t plan to miss any more races, either.

Whenever NASCAR returns from this unexpected stoppage, he plans to be back behind the wheel of the #6 Ford.

“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.

Asked if that meant he plans to be back racing whenever NASCAR is able to get back into action, he stated the following.

“That’s the absolute plan for sure. I’m healthy…and look forward to being back in the seat for sure.”

Chastain shared his thoughts on the matter on Twitter.

I’m happy Ryan is returning to the No. 6 when NASCAR resumes. He has a wonderful team around him and it’ll be great to see him back competing.

Thanks to Jack, RFR and all their sponsors for letting me keep his seat warm while he was making his recovery.
— Ross Chastain (@RossChastain) April 26, 2020

Newman has not officially been cleared by NASCAR to drive, but given that action could potentially resume on Sunday, May 17 at the earliest, that could very well change.

“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,” NASCAR stated.

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As of now, the next race on the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series schedule is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but that situation is fluid given the nature of the pandemic.

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