NASCAR Cup driver Ryan Newman continues to receive treatment for a head injury after his dramatic Daytona 500 accident, but is determined to get back to racing when fit again.
Newman, the 2008 Daytona 500 winner and 2014 Cup Series runner-up, was leading the rain-delayed race in the closing stages when his Roush Fenway Racing Ford was turned into the wall by Ryan Blaney and then hit hard by Cory LaJoie’s car.
The 42-year-old was taken to Halifax Medical Centre with what was reported to be “serious but non life-threatening” injuries, but was able to leave hospital on Wednesday, his place in the #6 Roush Mustang taken by Ross Chastain last weekend while he continues his recovery.
In a prepared statement read by Roush Fenway Racing president Steve Newmark at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Newman said he continues to receive treatment for a head injury but suffered no other injuries.
“I was fortunate to avoid any internal organ damage or broken bones” Newman said.
“I did sustain a head injury for which I’m currently being treated.
“The doctors have been pleased with my progression over the last few days.”
Newmark reiterated that there is no timetable for Newman’s return.
“He has unequivocally expressed this is where he wants to be,” Newmark said when asked about Newman’s desire to return to competition.
“His objective is to get back in the car as quick as he can.
“Ryan’s objectives have not changed this year. His goal is to win the 2020 Cup championship.”
In Newman’s continued absence, Newmark said 27-year-old Chastain had an “open-ended” arrangement to fill in, having driven the #77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet in the Daytona 500.
“Right now we’re just taking it one race at a time,” he said.
“The arrangement with Ross is if we need him, he should be available.”
Chastain was a top 10 challenger for much of the race in Las Vegas, but a spin with six laps to go – which he admitted was the result of over-driving while trying to get back on the lead lap – resulted in a 27th-place finish.
Branding his performance “unacceptable”, Chastain said he was disappointed with his performance.
“There were a lot of small mistakes on my end, but I learned a tonne,” Chastain said afterwards.
“The car deserved a lot better finish. Obviously, we showed that early and I just didn’t have great restarts.
“These guys kind of ate me alive on the restarts and I’d lose three or four spots every time and picked the wrong lines through (Turns) 1 and 2, and then (Turns) 3 and 4 again.
“I just kept making silly mistakes that I should learn from after I make the mistake once. I just have to be better.
“RFR and everybody puts so much into these cars and ultimately I’m the one holding the wheel.
“We had such a good first stage and had so much confidence and from there I just started making mistakes.”