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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)
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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)
“I hope not.” This is what Ryan Newman said about whether it was his last race after the curtain-closer in Phoenix in November 2021. Newman, who was released by Roush Fenway Racing to make room for their new driver-co-owner Brad Keselowski, hadn’t found a seat for the 2022 season.
Until now.
Because it was recently announced that Ryan Newman would be taking part in this summer’s Superstar Racing Experience (SRX). Newman joins Michael Waltrip, Bobby Labonte, and Greg Biffle as SRX drivers who have ties with NASCAR.
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Have some @SRXracing news for you: @RyanJNewman, @gbiffle, @Bobby_Labonte, @MW55 are among the full-time drivers this summer with NASCAR connections. (per @HawkSMI) https://t.co/WwLam8QNPB
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 24, 2022
Naturally, this news made many fans happy for Newman, who was one of the most admired drivers during his time.
Some of the reactions showed their happiness for the former Roush driver while some sarcastically suggested how other drivers will have a tough time in passing Newman this summer.
Crack open an ice cold Coke and celebrate. My favorite guy @RyanJNewman will be back behind the wheel tearing up the track in SRX pic.twitter.com/N1I9OO8GrP
— AnnP*NewmanFan (@NewmanFan4Life) February 24, 2022
Great for Ryan!! Good luck to the drivers trying to get by him 🤣🤣🤣
— Scovils Music (@ScovilsMusic) February 25, 2022
YES YES YES YES BOOYAH BOOYAH BOOYAH I am so EXCITED to watch @ryanjnewman
— Sonya (@Sonya_61920) February 24, 2022
Awesome @RyanJNewman !!!! Can’t wait to see u racing again! 🏁🏁🏁
— Nick (@nicartis) February 24, 2022
Yayyy Newman! I miss him already.
— Penny Eldred (@penny__mae) February 24, 2022
Ryan gonna hold everybody up 😅
— dagboat (@Dooog52) February 24, 2022
Will we see Ryan Newman in NASCAR again?
While Ryan Newman may not have a full-time contract with a NASCAR team at the moment, retirement was something he absolutely ruled out at the end of the 2021 season.
He insisted that he isn’t retiring “in any way, shape or form.”
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Newman described that the only difference in him at the end of 2021 and in his future is that he doesn’t have “a contract or anything” for the next year. He made it clear that not only does he still only wants to race, but he wants to be in a racecar that allows him to win, to fight for titles.
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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 12: Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Koch Industries Ford, speaks with the media during the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“I’m not going to get an opportunity to do it with a team that gives me an opportunity to be a champion — ever,” he said. “That’s OK. I really just want to win some races.”
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“I still enjoy doing what I’m doing. But in the end, I can’t be happy running 25th or qualifying 30th or racing for a lucky dog. That just doesn’t do it for me.”
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