Just after 10 pm ET, Steve O’Donnell read a statement from Roush-Fenway saying that driver Ryan Newman was being treated at Hailifax Health. Newman was said to be critical condition but was being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Coming to the checkered flag in the 62nd running of the Daytona 500, Ryan Newman was spun off the bumper of Ryan Newman and collided with the outside wall. As his No. 6 Ford Mustang came down the track it was hit full speed by Corey LaJoie and sent again into the air.
Here is the final lap of the Daytona 500 in which Ryan Newman’s car was flipped at the line.
We will continue to keep you updated on his status as we learn more. pic.twitter.com/qkEwQBpoP0
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 18, 2020
Track celebrations from race winner Denny Hamlin were cut short after the driver initially did a burnout prompting Joe Gibbs Racing team owner Joe Gibbs to issue an apology.
A stretcher was brought out to remove Newman from his mangled car while sheets where used to block media and fans from seeing. Newman arrived at Halifax Heath hospital just before 8:30 pm ET.
A veteran of 21 seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series, Newman was making his 657th career start in the 2020 Daytona 500.
During his career Newman has 18 wins, 115 top-five and 262 top-ten finishes to go with 51 career poles. Newman’s best finish in the Cup Series point standings was second in 2014. In 2008 with help from then Penske Racing teammate Kurt Busch, Newman was able to capture the Harley J. Earl trophy by winning the Daytona 500.
Newman also ran 64 Xfinity Series events scoring seven wins as well as seven truck series races where he had one win.