Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Newman announced his plans to resume racing on Sunday during the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series broadcast. He has been sidelined since his terrifying wreck on the final lap of the Daytona 500 two months ago.
When we go back racing, @RyanJNewman will be back behind the wheel of the No. 6 machine! pic.twitter.com/NVtTSklvnI
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 26, 2020
“I’m excited to be healthy and, at some point, get back in the racecar when the world starts turning again,” Newman said. “Thankful for all the support I got from friends, family, fans … that have prayed for me and given this multitude of miracles the opportunity to get back in the seat at some point.”
Newman has missed only three races since the 500. He’s 29th in the standings, so as long as he doesn’t fall below 30th and NASCAR gives him a waiver for playoff eligibility (there’s no apparent reason it wouldn’t), all he would need to make the postseason is a win or a top-16 position in the standings.
Ross Chastain has substituted Newman on both virtual tracks and real ones since the crash. With Chip Ganassi Racing in need of a driver for the No. 42 car now that Kyle Larson is out of the picture following his use of a racial slur, Chastain and Jamie McMurray are believed to be the favorites for the seat.
NASCAR’s return date is possibly going to be May 17 at Darlington Raceway. South Carolina’s tourism director Duane Parrish said the track would host a race when the season resumes. This is still a fluid situation, though, and NASCAR, race teams and the state government are still working out plans for the event. It is expected to be televised with no spectators in the grandstands.
