On Monday, February 17, NASCAR driver Ryan Newman was in a horrific crash right before crossing the finish line at the Daytona 500.
Scary finish at #DAYTONA500 when leader Ryan Newman flipped right before the finish. Denny Hamlin wins but all thoughts on Newman right now. pic.twitter.com/Fltj5w5d2g
— Troy Hirsch (@troyhirschfox5) February 18, 2020
During the final lap of the race, Newman was fighting Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney for the lead when the Roush Fenway Racing Driver was clipped by Blaney, sending his car into the outside wall. Newman’s car went airborne and landed upside-down before the driver’s side door was hit at full speed by Corey LaJoie’s car. Newman’s car was in flames at it slid several hundred feet on its roof.
Emergency personnel rushed to Newman’s car and turned it back onto its wheels. It took them approximately ten minutes to get Newman out of the car. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he only stayed for a couple days.
On February 19, it was announced that Newman was released from the hospital.
Ryan Newman has been treated and released from Halifax Medical Center pic.twitter.com/J0twhGgQm7
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) February 19, 2020
Newman has since made appearances at his racing team’s warehouse and also a race in Phoenix.
"It's great to be alive."- @RyanJNewman at Phoenix
(Video via @bobpockrass) pic.twitter.com/bTwH8ZapiM
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 6, 2020
During a March 11 appearance on NBC’s TODAY Show, Newman revealed the extent of his injuries – a bruised brain after he was knocked unconscious in the crash.
In the interview he also said he “feels so lucky on so many levels” to be sitting in that interview – headache-free.
In a tweet on Monday (March 23), the race car driver told his fans that he’s been reading the cards they have been sending in, and thanks them for the prayers they have been sending.
“I’ve gotten through the majority of cards and want to thank everyone for their prayers after my crash in Daytona,” he wrote. “I know I’ve been blessed in so many ways.”
I’ve gotten though the majority of cards and want to thank everyone for their prayers after my crash in Daytona. I know I’ve been blessed in so many ways.
— Ryan Newman (@RyanJNewman) March 23, 2020
He is still on the mend, but has assured racing fans that his goal is to get back behind the driver’s seat as soon as possible. We will keep him in our prayers!
Take a listen to an interview Newman did with Sirius XM NASCAR below.