Ryan Newman said on Sunday that he was ready to resume racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Newman had initially been out of action following a crash in the season opening Daytona 500 but the coronavirus pandemic later forced NASCAR to pause its season.
Newman spoke prior to Sunday’s iRacing event.
“I’m so excited and thankful, all at the same time,” he said. “Excited to be healthy and at some point back in the racecar when the world starts turning again and thankful for all the people and support that I’ve got, friends, family, fans, you name it that have prayed for me and given me this multitude of miracles that has given me this opportunity to get back in the seat at some point.”
When we go back racing, @RyanJNewman will be back behind the wheel of the No. 6 machine! pic.twitter.com/NVtTSklvnI
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 26, 2020
Mike Joy, Fox’s NASCAR lap-by-lap announcer asked if Newman would bee racing and the driver said “That’s the absolute plan for sure, yeah. I’m healthy, I’ve been blessed with another layer of this situation giving me more time to heal and look forward to being back in the seat for sure.”
Three races were held between Daytona and NASCAR halting its season. NASCAR released a statement following Newman’s announcement.
“We share Ryan’s enthusiasm in his return to the track,” the statement read. “We look forward to Ryan returning to racing as soon as he is medically cleared to race.”
NASCAR is expected to resume without fans with an event as soon as May 17.
