Ryan Newman
Name: Ryan Newman
Nationality: American
Date of Birth: Dec 8 1977
Resides: South Bend, Indiana
Series: NASCAR Sprint Cup
Car: Chevrolet Impala
Ryan Newman
A graduate of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, Ryan Newman not only has immense talent behind the wheel for NASCAR, but also has an in-depth understanding of what a car is designed and built to do on the racetrack. It is this combination that has made him one of the most successful and respected figures in modern motor sports.
Instead of taking his degree in vehicle structure engineering and going to work in the automotive industry, the native of South Bend, Indiana followed his heart and his talent to the racetrack and NASCAR's premiere division - the NASCAR Sprint Cup. It's a choice that has paid dividends for the driver of the Stewart Haas Racing number 39, who is now entering his ninth full season in the Sprint Cup Series.
Big Moments
The biggest moment of Ryan Newman’s career to date was winning the season opening Daytona 5oo in 2008, the culmination of a life’s dream and a landmark occasion, being the 50th anniversary of ‘The Great American Race’.
Ryan earned the nick-name ‘Rocket-Man’ (not as an indication of his taste for Elton John’s music) after the 2003 season when he achieved a series-high of eleven pole positions.
TV Show
Ryan has yet to make his debut on Mobil 1 the Grid. When our cameras went behind the scenes at the Stewart Haas Racing HQ in Kannapolis, Ryan was away preparing for the new NASCAR season. But don’t worry; we’ll catch up with the ‘Rocket-man’ at a race later this season, so watch this space.
Quote
To drive in the Great American Race itself is a dream for many an aspiring racer, so we can understand how a young driver might go to any lengths to get onto the Daytona grid. But the lengths Ryan went to just to get into the paddock as a boy is a great indication of just how ambitious he was!
‘’When I was a kid, my dad would bring me to Daytona for the 500 and we would make fake passes with construction paper and glitter so that I could sneak into the garage and meet the drivers. Years later, being part of that was truly amazing.’’
Detail
2010 Won first race with Stewart-Haas Racing at Phoenix.
2009 First year with Stewart-Haas Racing. Best finish of second in the Coca-Cola 600, finished ninth in series points.
2008 Opened season by winning the 50th Daytona 500. Finished season with eight top-10 finishes. Announces exit from Penske Racing to drive for the new Stewart-Haas organization.
2007 Three second place finishes at Dover, Pocono and Martinsville. Won three consecutive poles at Charlotte, Dover and Pocono.
2003 Led series in wins (8), poles (11) and miles led (1,509.13). Finished sixth in series points.
2002 Topped Jimmie Johnson to win Rookie of the Year. Set a rookie record with 22 top-10 finishes. Scored his first career win at New Hampshire in his 34th career start. Became just the second ever rookie to win the All-Star Race.
