April 26, 2020 | By Lee Spencer

Ryan Newman expects to race when NASCAR season resumes

When NASCAR returns to action, so will Ryan Newman.

On Sunday, before the NASCAR Pro Invitational iRacing Series at virtual Talladega Superspeedway, Newman expects to return to racing whenever the green flag signals a return to NASCAR Cup Series action..

While the Covid-19 pandemic has been horrific, the time off during the lockdown provided the 42-year-old racer with ample opportunity to heal from injuries sustained in the closing laps of the Daytona 500.

“I’m so excited and thankful all at the same time—excited to be healthy and at some point get back in the race car when the world starts turning again,” Newman told FOX Sports. “Thankful for all the people—friends, family, fans, you name it—that have prayed for me and given me a multitude of miracles that have given me the opportunity to get back in the seat at some point.”

With rumors indicating the NASCAR Cup Series making its return on May 17 at Darlington Raceway, Newman expects to be back in the seat of the No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford once he receives medical clearance. 

NASCAR released the following statement on Sunday: “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.” 

“That’s the absolute plan for sure,” Newman said. “I’m healthy. I’ve been blessed with another layer of this situation giving me more time to heal. Looking forward to being back in the seat, that’s for sure.”

Newman credited the safety of the current race car for expediting his return to competition. One of the safety initiatives Newman spearheaded was the addition of an additional structural bar across the top of the windshield. Ultimately, the bar—named the “Newman Bar” for the driver—was instrumental in maintaining the integrity of the vehicle when he flipped violently down the frontstretch at Daytona International Speedway.

“There’s a little bit of irony, but I also have to give credit to (Dale) Earnhardt and (Richard)Petty because there’s also the Earnhardt bar and the Petty bar that you know about, that all tied together are a big part of what have been the innovation over time with crashes and accidents that have happened to make the race car safer,” Newman said. “So I’m truly blessed.

“I’m not a champion—in the form of those other two seven-time champions—but I’m honored to be a bar in the race car.”

Newman is in his 20th season on the NASCAR Cup tour. The South Bend, Indiana native has 18 career wins. He leads the Cup series among active drivers with 51 poles.

Like many since racing was sidelined on March 13, Newman has remained busy during the stay-at-home order in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

“Lots of work around the farm,” Newman said. “Really just spending a lot of time with my kids. I’ve been doing some home schooling. Things that are much needed—and a lot of fun, although I’m not as good in second and third-grade Spanish as I thought I was.

“Doing a little hunting and fishing—turkey season is open now. Things like that that I would normally be doing but not at this level because I normally wouldn’t have this much time.”