After His Fiery Crash, NASCAR Driver Ryan Newman Is Awake and Speaking With Family

Wire Service
By Wire Service
February 18, 2020Sports News
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After His Fiery Crash, NASCAR Driver Ryan Newman Is Awake and Speaking With Family
Ryan Newman (6) goes airborne as Corey LaJoie (32) crashes in to him on the final lap of the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Feb. 17, 2020. (John Raoux/AP Photo)

NASCAR driver Ryan Newman is awake and speaking with family and doctors, a day after a fiery crash near the finish line of Daytona 500.

Newman’s racing team, Roush Fenway Racing, offered up the update Tuesday and said it would continue to provide details as they become available.

“Ryan Newman remains under the care of doctors at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. He is awake and speaking with family and doctors,” the statement read.

“Ryan and his family have expressed their appreciation for the concern and heartfelt messages from across the country. They are grateful for the unwavering support of the NASCAR community and beyond.”

Newman, 42, had taken the lead in the final lap of Daytona 500 on Monday evening when driver Ryan Blaney hit his bumper, causing Newman to spin into the outside wall. Newman’s car bounced off the wall, flipped into the air and dropped back down in front of the racecar driven by Corey LaJoie.

Ryan Newman
Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Koch Industries Ford, stands on the grid prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 17, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Unable to avoid him, LaJoie hit Newman’s car, causing the vehicle to go airborne again, up and over LaJoie’s car, eventually landing upside down. Newman’s car skidded on its roof in a shower of flames and sparks across the finish line before coming to rest on the track’s apron.

Rescue crews had to cut the car’s roof off to extricate Newman, who was rushed to the hospital.

Daytona 500 crash
Ryan Newman, top center, goes airborne as he is hit by Corey LaJoie (32) on the final lap of the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Feb. 17, 2020. (Terry Renna/AP Photo)

Roush Fenway Racing previously stated that doctors had indicated that Newman was in serious condition but did not have life-threatening injuries.

Driver Denny Hamlin and team owner Joe Gibbs apologized for celebrating the win in the wake of Newman’s crash.

The 62nd running of the race was held on Monday after it was postponed on Sunday due to rainy weather.

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