Ryan Newman comments on stage racing, issues with the Next Gen car and the new racing product
For the first time in 22 years, Ryan Newman is watching the NASCAR Cup Series from the sidelines. After his contract expired last year, he was unable to find a new ride to return.
Ryan Newman comments on the new era of NASCAR racing.
These days, Ryan Newman has made the switch to family and farm life. He raced the Chili Bowl Nationals back in January in addition to one modified race at Richmond Raceway last night.
New for 2022, NASCAR introduced the Next Gen car. The car itself has been a game changer in addition to new rules around it. The spec chassis has the playing field as level as it’s ever been.
But, more than the car itself has brought a new era of NASCAR. Nowhere was that more clear than Atlanta Motor Speedway which added banking and featured a superspeedway style racing product.
Newman has been watching from a distance…
Related: Atlanta Motor Speedway – New vs Old track by passing data
Ryan Newman comments on the changes in NASCAR
“There’s parts of it that I miss, there’s parts that I haven’t,” Ryan Newman told Bob Pockrass.
“I’ve watched from a distance of just what’s going on. Certain tracks, make me miss it a little bit more than others. In general, some of the tracks, the races that have happened, have not been to my liking.”
“In general, there’s been some surprises. The inability to drive a car back with flat tires I think was a surprise to all. In general, it’s been fairly similar.”
“Here [at Richmond], it will probably be more similar than it’s ever been. Just because of the lack of air speed.”
“Two of the last three weekends, I’ve been out splitting wood in the middle of the race. Just to come back in to watch the last stage. Like, I get what all the fans are talking about now.”
Newman has had offers to return to NASCAR. But, he’s turned all those down so far.
“I’ve gotten some calls. But, I’ve always said that I wouldn’t do it unless I can do it right. Do it with the right people and the right team. I felt like I haven’t had that in the last few years.”
Newman has run 725 NASCAR Cup Series races. He’s collected 18 wins along the way with the first coming in 2002 and the most recent win back in 2017.
As of now, Newman doesn’t have additional NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races on his schedule. This is a brand new team, Newman is feeling it out as SS Racing was a brand new organization put together by Hermie Sadler and Virginia State Senator Bill Stanley.
Related: Richmond Race Results: April 1, 2022 (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour)
Related: Denny Hamlin comments after NASCAR drivers crash for the win
