Template:NASCAR current driver Ryan Joseph "Rocket Man" Newman (born December 8, 1977 in South Bend, Indiana) is a driver in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. He drives the #12 Alltel, Mobil Oil Dodge Charger for Penske Racing. It was apparent that racing would be his passion, as he twice made counterfeit passes that would allow him to enter Daytona International Speedway. He also is one of the few NASCAR racers with a college degree, graduating from Purdue University in 2001 with a bachelor of science in Vehicle Structure Engineering.
In 2002, he was the Raybestos Rookie of the Year.
Racing career
In the Nextel Cup Series, Ryan has 152 starts with 12 wins (matching his car number), 54 top 5's, 81 top 10's, and 37 Bud Poles. His large number of Bud Poles in such a short time period has earned him the nickname of Rocket Man. Ending with the MBNA RacePoints 400, Ryan had a streak of 20 straight races started in the top ten. In the Busch Series Ryan has 23 starts, 7 wins, 9 top 5's, 15 top 10's and 9 Bud Poles. In 2005 Ryan ran 9 Busch races, winning 6 times and breaking a record for 5 consecutive wins in a row and finishing out of the top 5 only once. Nineteen races into the 2006 season Ryan's best finish came at the Dodge/Save_Mart_350 where he finished 2nd.
Charity
Ryan and his wife Krissie operate the Ryan Newman Foundation. The foundation primarily focuses on assuring that adequate care is provided for unwanted dogs and cats in shelters and pounds. Ryan helped fund the construction of the Catawba County, North Carolina Humane Society shelter, in the county where he lives.
Interesting Facts
- Newman was on the cover of the 2005 EA Sports computer game "NASCAR Sim Racing" and was actively involved in its development.
- Newman has been invited to the International Race of Champions three times, in 2003, 2004, and 2006, finishing second in the standings to Matt Kenseth in 2004.
- After his wild flip at Daytona International Speedway in Feb. 2003, he joked about the incident, saying "they don't have any rides like that at Disney World", referring to the theme park just down the road in Orlando.
- A fishing fanatic, he also enjoys spending his time working on vintage automobiles, particularly 1950's Chryslers.
Races won
Winston/Nextel Cup (12 career wins)
- 2005 (1 win ) Sylvania 300 (Loudon)
- 2004 (2 wins) DHL 400 (Michigan), MBNA America 400 (Dover)
- 2003 (8 wins) Samsung/Radio Shack 500 (Texas), MBNA Armed Forces Family 400 (Dover), Tropicana 400 (Chicago), Pennsylvania 500 (Pocono), GFS Marketplace 400 (Michigan), Chevy Rock and Roll 400 (Richmond), Dover 400 (Dover), Banquet 400 (Kansas)
- 2002 (1 win ) New Hampshire 300 (Loudon), Rookie of the Year
Busch Series (7 career wins)
- 2005 (6 wins) Zippo 200 (Watkins Glen), Domino's Pizza 250 (Michigan), Food City 250 (Bristol), Dover 200 (Dover), Dollar General 300 (Charlotte), Ford 300 (Homestead)
- 2001 (1 win ) NAPAonline.com 250 (Michigan)
International Race of Champions (1 career win )
- 2004 (1 win ) Race 1 (Daytona)