Just two months after his terrifying crash in the final lap of the Daytona 500, Ryan Newman is saying that he will return to racing as soon as NASCAR comes back.
“I’m excited to be healthy and at some point get back in the race car when the world starts turning again,” Newman said during an interview with FOX: NASCAR on Sunday.
He went on to say that he plans to return to racing whenever NASCAR resumes, which could be as early as May 17.
“I’m thankful for all the people and support that I’ve got,” Newman said. “Friends, family, fans, you name it, that prayed for me and have given me 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
Newman was in the final lap of the Daytona 500 back in February when he was involved in a fiery crash that looked so bad, it left fans fearing the worst. Miraculously, Newman emerged from the crash with injuries that were non-life threatening.
“[It’s] still humbling to watch it and know that I’m sitting here without a headache, which is amazing,” Newman said in his first interview afterwards, according to NBC News.
He suffered a “bruised brain” and was even knocked unconscious at one point, but he had no broken bones or other injuries.
“On so many levels, I feel so lucky,” he said. “You look at the crash, you think that’s spectacular in a bad way. You look at the car afterwards, you think about all the things of what happened right for me to be sitting here.”
“I was fortunate to avoid any internal organ damage or broken bones,” Newman said in a statement released after the crash. “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.”
NASCAR has said that despite Newman’s eagerness to return to racing, he has not been cleared to do so yet.
“We share Ryan’s enthusiasm in his return to the track,” NASCAR said. “We look forward to Ryan returning to racing as soon as he is medically cleared to race.”
NASCAR says Ryan Newman is not yet cleared to race (Ryan said today his plan is he will be ready by mid-May). NASCAR: “We share Ryan’s enthusiasm in his return to the track. We look forward to Ryan returning to racing as soon as he is medically cleared to race.” @NASCARONFOX
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 26, 2020
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.