Ryan Newman through the years

By Staff Report | Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Getty Images

1 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman (No. 61) races with Tracy Hines (No. 7) during a USAC Midget race in 1995 at Winchester Speedway.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Getty Images

2 of 23

View Fullscreen

Before turning his attention to NASCAR, Ryan Newman was a big winner with the United States Auto Club (USAC). Newman won in the Silver Crown, Sprint Car and Midget divisions of USAC and was the 1999 Silver Crown Series champion.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Getty Images

3 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman gets a few tips from NASCAR veteran Buddy Baker before a test session. Newman entered the Xfinity Series in 2001, a year after his one-race NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2000.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Getty Images

4 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman ran Alltel-sponsored cars on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit for car owner Roger Penske from 2000 to 2008, scoring 13 wins during the period. He also won 43 pole positions during that time.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Getty Images

5 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 12 Alltel/Mobil 1 Ford Taurus, poses with the trophy after winning a rain-shortened New Hampshire 300 on Sept. 15, 2002 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It was his first premier series victory.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Getty Images

6 of 23

View Fullscreen

Daytona International Speedway's golden anniversary was a banner day for Ryan Newman, too, as the driver of the No. 12 Alltel Dodge won the Daytona 500 in 2008.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Getty Images

7 of 23

View Fullscreen

In 2009, Ryan Newman moved from Team Penske to the newly formed Stewart-Haas Racing. Here Newman and driver-owner Tony Stewart talk with the media after the Southern 500 on May 9, 2009 at Darlington Raceway.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Getty Images

8 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman had another big win in 2013 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Newman celebrated with wife Krissie and daughters Brooklyn and Ashlyn after winning the Brickyard 400.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Getty Images

9 of 23

View Fullscreen

In 2014, Ryan Newman drove the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet for team owner Richard Childress (center) and worked with crew chief Luke Lambert (right). It was his first year with RCR.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Getty Images

10 of 23

View Fullscreen

In 2014, Ryan Newman finished second to Kevin Harvick in the championship race and final season standings. Here, he drives alongside Harvick during the NASCAR Victory Lap on Dec. 4, 2014 on the Las Vegas Strip.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Kena Krutsinger | Getty Images

11 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman made his 500th career NASCAR Cup Series start in 2015 at Darlington Raceway. Overcoming an early spin, Newman went on to finish 13th.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Jerry Markland | Getty Images

12 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman isn't afraid to get his hands dirty, working underneath the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing in February 2016 at Daytona International Speedway.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Robert Laberge | Getty Images

13 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ask any driver in the NASCAR Cup Series garage and he or she will tell you Ryan Newman is the hardest driver to pass every Sunday.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Robert Laberge | Getty Images

14 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman took his place as a seasoned veteran in the sport, as young talent like Alex Bowman (right) moved up the ranks.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Chris Trotman | Getty Images

15 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman celebrates his win in March of 2017 at Phoenix Raceway, the 18th victory of his NASCAR Cup Series career.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

16 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman needed some cold water and an ice pack after conquering the competition in the desert heat.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

17 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman takes "Fixer Upper" star Chip Gaines for a ride in the pace car before the AAA Texas 500 in November 2017 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

18 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman speaks on stage at the 2017 NASCAR Awards banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Jerry Markland | Getty Images

19 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman's fifth and final season with Richard Childress Racing in the No. 31 was 2018. In the five years, he claimed one win (Phoenix -- 2017), 63 top 10s, 19 top fives and three playoff berths.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

20 of 23

View Fullscreen

In 2019, Ryan Newman joined forces with Roush Fenway Racing, driving the No. 6 Ford for his 18th full season in the top series.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Getty Images

21 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman had 16 top-10 finishes in 2019, bringing a measure of consistency and stability to the organization's No. 6 program. He qualified for the NASCAR Playoffs and finished second in the fall at Talladega Superspeedway, just .007 seconds behind Ryan Blaney.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

22 of 23

View Fullscreen

Ryan Newman was one of 16 playoff drivers honored during Champion's Week in Nashville, Tennessee. He delivered a memorable burnout in downtown Nashville under the lights.

Saved to `My Liked Photos`

Roush Fenway Racing

23 of 23

View Fullscreen

Two days after a massive wreck at the end of the 2020 Daytona 500, Ryan Newman walked out of Halifax Medical Center with his two daughters. Newman missed the next three races but was able to return when NASCAR came back from the COVID-19 shutdown. Newman missed the playoffs in 2020 but competed in all of the remaining races after his comeback.

Presented By: