‘On the Hot Seat: Team Owners in the NASCAR Cup Series,’ is the next installment of a commentary series from writer Michael Orzel and may not necessarily represent the views of Fan4Racing Blog and Radio.
NOTE from Michael Orzel: This installment is a somewhat different article from typical ‘Hot Seat”’ commentary. Instead of looking at one specific driver, this edition of the series will examine team owners of NASCAR Cup Series. Unless specifically cited via linked articles, all conclusions are exclusively speculation of the author and should not be considered any sort of authoritative voice.
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 07: Ryan Newman stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 07, 2020, in Avondale, Arizona. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Ryan Newman on NBC’s Today Show on Wednesday
CONCORD, N.C., (March 10, 2020) – Roush Fenway Racing’s Ryan Newman will travel to New York City to pay a visit to the award-winning Today Show on NBC for an exclusive, sit down interview with show hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Craig Melvin.
The segment featuring Newman is scheduled to air Wednesday morning at 7:40 AM ET.
Newman visited the race track this past weekend at Phoenix Raceway for the first time since his Feb. 17th accident in the Daytona 500. He was released from Halifax Medical Center just two days following the race and continues his recovery.
The NASCAR Cup Series travels this weekend to Atlanta Motor Speedway. A timetable for Newman’s return to the race car has yet to be determined.
VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 23: Steve Newark, Roush Fenway Racing President, speaks to the media about Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Newman and his crash the previous week at the Daytona 500 before the NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube on February 23, 2020, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV. Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Steve Newmark, president, Roush Fenway Racing, held a Q&A session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sunday morning to read a statement from Ryan Newman and talk about Monday’s accident at Daytona International Speedway.
STEVE NEWMARK, President, Roush Fenway Racing –
“I appreciate all you guys being here today. Ryan apologizes for not being able to be here, but he did prepare a statement:
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 15: Ross Chastain, driver of the #10 Nutrien Ag Solutions Chevrolet, climbs into his car during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series NASCAR Racing Experience 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Speculations over the driver for the RFR No 6 at Las Vegas are now over.
On Wednesday afternoon it was Ross Chastain getting a nod from Roush Fenway Racing to take the wheel of the No. 6 for Ryan Newman starting at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Due to injuries from a last-lap incident – in Monday’s rain-delayed Daytona 500 – Newman was immediately taken to Halifax Medical Center for treatment. The good news is that he was released this afternoon and is now home.
“First and foremost, our focus remains with Ryan and his family as he continues to recover. We also want to express our sincere gratitude to all of those who have offered support and taken the time to send their thoughts and prayers to Ryan, his family and everyone at Roush Fenway Racing”.
“The NASCAR community has long prided itself on being a close-knit family. That is never more evident than during these types of moments, and we want to express our appreciation to everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing as well as Kaulig Racing for allowing Ross to fill in for Ryan in the No. 6 on such short notice.”
Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark.
A popular NASCAR veteran, Ross Chastain is taking advantage of his most recent opportunities with stellar results. In the past two years, he has three Truck Series victories and two Xfinity Series wins. In 2018, his dominating win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway put a spotlight on his career. Chastain has also run in 72 Cup Series races, which includes his top-ten finish in last year’s Daytona 500. On Monday, however, his strong 500-run came to an end with a late-race accident.
Currently, there is no timetable for Newman’s return and Roush Fenway Racing is continuing to provide any additional updates.
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – OCTOBER 14: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 McDonald’s Chevrolet, wrecks during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 14, 2019, in Talladega, Alabama. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
It was a dramatic day for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff drivers in Monday’s rain-delayed 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway – with all 12 championship-eligible drivers involved in some way in an assortment of wrecks, including three versions of the track’s famous ‘Big One.’
