Wednesday
Despite Solid Chase Start, Newman Says it Needs to Get Better
Press Release
“Consistency is good, but it looks like it’s going to take consistency with a stronger finishing average than we’ve had in the first two Chase races,” said Newman, who is seventh in the standings, 110 points behind leader Mark Martin. “As I said after the Dover race, this is a brutally tough competition and you’re going to need top fives and wins to claim the championship. We have to continue to be mentally and emotionally tough — just like our Army Strong Soldiers.”
With five straight top 10s and finishes the past two weeks of seventh in New Hampshire and 10th in Dover, Newman is looking to improve on those numbers in Sunday’s third Chase race — the Price Chopper 400 — at the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway.
In eight career starts at Kansas Speedway, Newman has one win and three top fives. He finished second twice in Kansas, including a runner-up in 2001 — in only his sixth career Cup start.
“It would be nice to start our top-five or better roll in Kansas,” said Newman. “I believe Jimmie (Johnson) had a 5.7 finishing average in the 10 Chase races last year and if that’s what it’s going to take to win the championship this year, then we have some work ahead of us. The way the 5 (Martin) and the 48 (Johnson) are currently running we all have to step it up or it’s going to be a two-driver battle for the championship.”
Newman feels the next three races on intermediate tracks will be pivotal for the U.S. Army/Haas Automation team. After Kansas, the following two races are at the two-mile Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif (Oct. 11) and at at the 1.5-mile Lowe’s Motor Speedway near Charlotte (Oct. 17).
“We have five Chase races, including the next three, on either a 1.5 or two-mile track,” explained Newman. “So, it’s very important to get a handle on our U.S. Army/Haas Automation Chevy Impala SS for these types of tracks. We’ve had some decent runs on the mile-in-a-half and two-mile tracks, but haven’t been as consistent as we’re going to need to be if we want to remain in title contention.”
In nine races this season at the intermediate tracks, Newman has had a 16.1 finishing average, compared to an overall average of 13.6.
“That average (16.1) won’t cut it,” Newman said candidly. “But I am confident that we’re going to have a strong package for our Army/Haas Automation Chevy at the upcoming races. I am really proud of this team for what we’ve accomplished thus far. Making the Chase was huge and being in the championship hunt after the first two races gives us all a sense of accomplishment.”.
Newman’s Career Results at Kansas
St Fn
2001 17 2
2002 3 2
2003 11 1
2004 7 33
2005 11 23
2006 15 24
2007 42 43
2008 15 16
No. 39 Over-the-Wall Crew (city is hometown)
Front-tire changer: Scott Brzozowski, Sterling Heights, Mich.
Front-tire carrier: Josh Mick, Houston, Texas
Rear-tire changer: Daniel Rankin, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Rear-tire carrier: Jason Fowler, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Gasman: Michael Moore, Springfield, Mass.
Jackman: Andrew Turner, Coloma, Mich.
Catch Can: Andy Rueger, Seymour, Ind.
Windshield: Jay Guarneri, Naples, Fla.
___________________________________________________
Crew Chief: Tony Gibson, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Car Chief: Kevin Pennell, Kannapolis, N.C.
Spotter: Greg Newman, South Bend, Ind.
Engine Specialist: Jay Nolan, Jacksonville, Fla.
Engineer: Johnny Klausmeier, Perry Hall, Md.
Engine: Hendrick Motorsports
Shock Specialist: Brian Holshouser, Charlotte
Tire Specialist: Ray Osian, Salisbury, N.C.
Mechanic: Joe Cline, Maiden, N.C.
Mechanic: Shawn Warren, Concord, N.C.
Pit Support: Chris Miller, Kannapolis, N.C.
Truck Drivers: Rick Hodges, Raleigh, N.C.
Todd Cable, Shelby, N.C.
- DMF Communications for U.S. Army Racing, Press Release
Article Tags: Kansas Speedway, NASCAR, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, No. 39 U.S. Army/Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala SS, NSCS, Price Chopper 400, Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods, Ryan Newman, Stewart-Haas Racing, U.S. Army Racing, US Army Racing
