Racing On 9/11 Keeps It In Perspective For Newman, Army Team

RICHMOND, Sept. 8, 2010: While the prerace coverage surrounding Ryan Newman will most likely center on his current 13th-place, out-of-Chase standing, the U.S. Army driver says there's a deeper meaning about Saturday night's Sprint Cup event at Richmond International Raceway.

"Competing for a win and battling for a berth in the Chase are what we strive for as race car drivers," said Newman, a three-time Chase participant, including last year. "And that will continue to be our approach heading into Richmond this weekend.

"But when you look at the date of Saturday night's race -- Sept. 11 -- I feel it's important to sit back and reflect about what happened on that day and of the many sacrifices our Army Strong Soldiers are making so we can enjoy our freedom."

Newman of course is referring to the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

"I am proud to wear the Army uniform and wearing it Saturday night on 9/11 will make me even more proud," stated Newman, driver of the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing. "We will be racing with a heavy heart."

The goal for Newman is to continue his strong performances of late and also his strong performances at the .75-mile Richmond short track. He enters Richmond with consecutive top-10 finishes of sixth in Bristol and eighth in Atlanta. He has also scored three straight top 10s at Richmond.

Newman's overall Richmond record includes: 17 starts, one win (Sept. 2003), five top fives and 11 top 10s.

With Richmond being the 26th and final pre-Chase race of the season, Newman finds himself out of the 12-driver Chase territory. He is 13th and trails Clint Bowyer for the 12th and final Chase spot by 117 points.

"It's evident that you don't need an engineering degree to figure out our odds of making the Chase," said Newman. "Mathematically, we still have a chance, and I guess that means something. But you can't expect to make up all of those points in one shot. Again, our position in the standings is not going to change how we will approach the Richmond race. History will show that this No. 39 Army team has had success on short tracks and with that said we're looking to be running up front just like we did in the past two races in Bristol and Atlanta."

At short tracks this season (less than one mile), Newman had finishes of 16th and sixth in Bristol, fourth in Martinsville and eighth in the spring race at Richmond.

Newman will also compete in Friday night's NASCAR Nationwide Series race, driving the No. 1 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet.