After seeing videos and photos of his car afterwards, some have been calling NASCAR driver Ryan Newman’s recovery from his Daytona 500 crash a miracle. His doctors, though, just see it as a huge success.
https://twitter.com/TRMFTL/status/1229628011894464513
On Monday, February 17, during the final lap of the Daytona 500, 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.
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
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.
Later that evening, NASCAR released a statement from his family, which said, “Ryan Newman is being treated at Halifax Medical Center. He’s in serious condition, but doctors have indicated that his injuries are non-life-threatening.“
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 18, 2020
On Tuesday, February 18, Roush Racing confirmed he was “awake and speaking” to doctors and his family.
Update on Ryan Newman: pic.twitter.com/TdJHDZ3O7O
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) February 18, 2020
Just one day later, Newman’s wife Krissie shared a video of him walking out of the hospital, hand in hand with their daughters.
Best sight ever!!! https://t.co/g1G3VDwpi1 pic.twitter.com/kMs4u8LjOL
— Krissie Newman (@NewmanKrissie) February 19, 2020
In a new statement issued Sunday (Feb 23), Newman revealed that while he suffered no broken bones or organ damage, he is being treated for an undisclosed head injury.
“I was fortunate to avoid any internal organ damage or broken bones. I did sustain a head injury for which I’m currently being treated,” Newman wrote in the statement. “The doctors have been pleased with my progression over the last few days.”
In reality, they’re a little more than pleased.
“There is no better reward for us than seeing someone who was critical one day walk a few days later with their family, going back to life,” Newman’s doctor from the Halifax Medical Center said. “It’s a huge success for us. Everything else comes secondary. Because, otherwise we wouldn’t be in this profession.”
The doctor continued, “He went from critical to walking out of the hospital because of the care he got. And, also a strong young man. He got support from family and from us. And I think the entire nation was praying for him, including my wife and my daughter. He has recovered very well and is going to go on with life. We wish him well and I want to see him on the next circuit.”
It looks like the race car driver is on the mend. He stopped by his team’s race shop today and received a standing ovation.
Ryan Newman was back in the shop today and received a standing ovation from everyone.
📷: Roush Fenway Racing pic.twitter.com/SAKmjHlTLL
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 26, 2020
We will continue to pray for Newman’s ongoing recovery!