While running in the top-20 with five laps remaining in regulation, Ryan Newman’s Daytona 500 came to an end after getting collected in a three-car accident on the backstretch of Daytona International Speedway. He was credited with a 34th-place finish in the NASCAR Sprint Cup season opener.
Sunday’s scheduled 200-lap race, which went eight laps into overtime, took more than six hours to complete. The main culprit was lengthy repair time for a pothole on the track, which forced NASCAR to red flag the race twice for a total of more than two hours.
Newman’s misfortune was triggered when Elliott Sadler lost control of his car on the backstretch of the 2.5-mile oval. As Sadler’s car was going into a violent spin, Newman’s Chevy got clipped and slammed into the wall before coming to a halt on the infield grass.
Newman was not injured in the incident, but his No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet was totaled as it was hauled back to the garage on a wrecker.
“I don’t know if Elliott (Sadler) blew a tire or lost control, but I got hit in the right rear,” explained Newman, the 2008 Daytona 500 champion. “Luckily I stayed right-side-up this time. It’s unfortunate for the U.S. Army Chevrolet. We were just biding our time in the back and working our way up when it single filed out. I am not sure what happened, but I was the recipient.”
Newman, who started the race 17th, encountered handling issues from the outset and never could seem to find the right balance with his U.S. Army Chevy.
“We made changes throughout the race and the car did get better,” added Newman. “We were looking for a late race charge and a top-10 or better finish. We never got it, but we will Soldier on and keep on battling. Our Soldiers expect nothing less, and we will give nothing less.”
Newman’s teammate, Tony Stewart, finished 22nd.
The race winner was Jamie McMurray. Rounding out the top-five in order were: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer and David Reutimann.
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