Ryan Newman Accomplishments And 2011

[chevy39fan]

You think you know what Ryan Joseph Newman has accomplished in his open wheel stock car career?

The following awards: 1996 USAC Silver Crown Rookie Of The Year/1999 USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series Championship/2002 Winston Cup Series Rookie Of The Year/2002 Winston Cup Series All Star Winner/2003 Nascar Driver Of The Year/2008 Daytona 500 50TH Anniversary Winner

Winston/Sprint Cup Series Numbers: Best Finishes 6TH-2002,2003,2005....14-wins/135-top 10's/46-Poles

Busch/Nationwide Series Numbers: 7-wins/34-Top 10's/12-Poles

Camping World Truck Series: 1-win/3-top 10's/1-pole

I can understand how the average Nascar fan sees a driver that they pay no attention to. If he/she finishes 15Th or worse, in their mind, it was all the drivers fault and he/she is just not all that good! Not taking into consideration who/what/why/where that finish came about. It's just much more simple/easier to blame the driver and bash him or her. Any well-educated Nascar fan knows, there's much more to the story at the end of a race day and it's NOT always the drivers fault! I bring this point up because of so many years of hearing the novice fan give my driver their "two cents" with no knowledge of what they are talking about!

We often talk about Ryan Newman's stock car career of bad luck and it is well documented. Folks, since 2000 to current, Newman has had 43 DNF'S! I can guarantee you at the most 6 of those where driver error!

As a long time fan I was elated when Ryan was talking about leaving Roger Penske back in 2008. The fans and Ryan knew it was futile to stay with Penske if he ever had thoughts of winning a Nascar Championship. Even with all of Rogers money, his Nascar program was going nowhere fast.

When it was official Newman was joining Tony Stewart/Gene Haas and going to have Hendrick engines and chassis. I thought this was his time to shine. But, you soon find out that with any "some what new" operation, it's a work in progress. It takes time.

We haven't seen the very best from Team #39. The best, remains to be seen! Good luck in 2011!

Last edited by chevy39fan on Sun Feb 20, 2011 11:01 am, edited 1 time in total.

[HiddenHollow]

I think Tony made the right decision when he picked up Ryan and Ryan made the right decision in leaving Penske. You're right that it takes time building a new race team. SHR & the # 39 team need time, it's only been 2 seasons. It'll come together. I have faith.

Keep up the hard work # 39 team and here's wishing you the best of luck in the 2011 season

[chevy39fan]

I think Tony made the right decision when he picked up Ryan and Ryan made the right decision in leaving Penske. You're right that it takes time building a new race team. SHR & the # 39 team need time, it's only been 2 seasons. It'll come together. I have faith.

Keep up the hard work # 39 team and here's wishing you the best of luck in the 2011 season

Thanks for posting HiddenHollow, your opinion is always welcome!

I agree with you. Newman and his fans knew the love affair was over with Penske about 2006. His race team couldn't balance a good "grocery cart" they were so lost. As a contracted driver, you just have to deal with it while your racing resumes goes in the crapper!

Tony knows what it takes to be successful in Nascar. It's the lack of money that always seems to be the problem for newer teams. Newman had Alltel as his ONLY primary for 7 years! Along with Mobile One on occasion. Now he has U.S. Army/Wix/Tornado's/Haas Automation sort of a collective group of primary sponsors as if no one can afford the full ride! I doubt if Haas Automation pays a dime unless Gene throws in some cash? I have wondered about that.

[HiddenHollow]

Penske is a well respected name... in Indy car, but I agree, he hasn't achieved the same success in NASCAR. As one of the last "Dodge camps" in NASCAR, I don't see it getting any better.

The name "Stewart" in NASCAR is a whole different matter. The name alone has more recognition & respect IMO. I think that factor alone has helped both SHR teams secure sponsorship and Ryan benefited from that name recognition.

The economy is improving... slowly. Hopefully that will make getting & keeping sponsors a little easier... as long as NASCAR doesn't make some bonehead change(s) trying to increase race attendance and TV viewership that winds up hurting the sport as a whole.