Newman hopes to end slide with win at Dover

DOVER, Del. (AP) -- Ryan Newman insists a race on The Monster Mile could be exactly what's needed to jump-start his season.

Dover International Speedway is one of the most demanding tracks on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit. Still, Newman is confident he can end an 18-race drought with a victory Sunday in the MBNA America 400.

	Ryan Newman won both Dover races in 2003. Credit: Autostock

He beat the high-banked concrete oval twice last year. That's particularly impressive because he overcame adversity both times.

"The bottom line is we've proven we can get around the racetrack and we can win here," Newman said. "Now, the determining factor is we've got to go back and repeat."

Last June, Newman was forced for half the 400-mile race to muscle his 3,400-pound Dodge around the narrow track without power steering.

In the fall race, Newman lost two laps because of a flat tire. He got one back because of NASCAR's then-brand-new rule awarding a lap to the highest-scored car off the lead lap at each caution period, and returned to contention by staying on the track when a subsequent yellow flag came out.

Two caution periods that slowed the field for 12 laps also enabled him to save gas and go the final 106 without a stop.

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"It takes a little bit of everything and not just good, but great situations, whether it's pit stops that are strategies or whatever else to get that win," Newman said.

The speed that has led to an astounding 21 poles and nine victories in less than three full seasons on the circuit is put to good use here.

"Cars are able to pass instead of beating on each other," Newman said. "That is a good recipe for good racing."

Newman was expected to be one of a handful of drivers battling for the top spot in the standings. But he's ninth after a third straight poor start to a season.

"We've got no excuse," he said.

An outstanding performance Sunday could point him in the right direction.

Newman's toughest opponent might be Jimmie Johnson, coming off a pole-race sweep last weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Johnson crashed last spring at Dover, and finished eighth to Newman in the fall after sweeping the races here in 2002.

Johnson could easily take the points lead with his third victory of the season or a competitive run. He comes in just five points behind leader Dale Earnhardt Jr. Newman is 298 back after 12 of 36 races.

There are no shortcuts to victory here, Johnson explained.

	Ryan Newman

"There isn't another track on the circuit that is remotely close to what you have at Dover," he said. "A lot of people go to Kentucky and these other tracks, but you can't take anything from there and apply it to Dover."

Despite their recent domination of the track, Newman and Johnson are by no means staging a match race. Sweeps at Dover also have been accomplished in the last decade by Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Rusty Wallace, who set the track qualifying record of 159.954 mph in 1999.

Earnhardt, with a series-leading three victories this season, also has won at Dover.

A good showing is important to Wallace, 13th in the points, 407 behind Earnhardt. Only the top 10 in the standings and any drivers within 400 points of the lead get to contest the championship over the final 10 events.

Johnson wouldn't speculate on who might be favored to win the fall title chase that begins Sept. 19 in New Hampshire. The top driver will enter that race with a five-point lead and the 10th-place competitor will begin 50 back.

"I don't think you can say that until eight of the 10 races are gone," Johnson explained. "You look at guys like Ryan Newman, who is down in points.

"You know he is going to be tough and all he needs to do is make the cut. You know he is going to be strong at the end of the season."