Newman slated to run limited Busch schedule

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Ryan Newman, who has not raced in the Busch series since 2001, will compete in a limited schedule of events later this season.

Newman made his last Busch start four years ago as part of an "ABC" schedule of ARCA, Busch and Cup events to prepare him for the Cup series. He will drive a No. 39 Dodge in the May 28 race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

	Inside the Numbers Ryan Newman's Busch stats Year Races W T-5 T-10 2001 15 1 2 8

"When this opportunity presented itself, we felt we couldn't afford to turn it down," said Don Miller, president of Penske Racing South. "It will be interesting to see Ryan competing in the Busch series again."

Penske Racing's chief engineer, Roy McCauley, will oversee the Busch program and serve as Newman's crew chief. The team's crew will be comprised of personnel who worked with McCauley last fall on Penske's No. 06 Dodge that was driven in a limited number of Cup races by Travis Kvapil and Chad Blount.

Newman used the No. 39 when he raced Midgets in USAC events prior to moving to NASCAR. Sponsorship for the program will be announced later.

In addition to the May 28 event at Lowe's, Newman's tentative Busch schedule includes: Chicago, July 9; Watkins Glen, Aug. 13; Michigan, Aug. 20; Bristol, Aug. 26; Richmond, Sept. 9; Dover, Sept. 24; Charlotte, Oct. 14; and Texas, Nov. 5.

In 2001, Newman competed in 15 events, won the August Michigan race, produced two top-five and eight top-10 finishes, earned six poles and started on the outside of the front row four times.

Newman currently is seventh in the Cup point standings, with three Bud Poles and three top-10 finishes in eight starts.