Newman 'awake and speaking' after horrific Daytona 500 wreck

 

Feb 17, 2020; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Newman (6) wrecks during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

 

(Reuters) - Driver Ryan Newman is awake and able to speak after a horrifying last-lap crash at Monday's Daytona 500 resulted in him being rushed to a nearby hospital in serious condition, his racing team said on Tuesday.

 

"Ryan Newman remains under the care of doctors at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida," Roush Fenway Racing said in a statement on social media. "He is awake and speaking with family and doctors."

 

After competitor Ryan Blaney tapped the 42-year-old's car from behind during the NASCAR race, Newman's vehicle careened into a wall, flipped into the air and was hit by another car on the driver's side.

 

Newman, who won the Daytona 500 in 2008, was immediately transported to a hospital following the incident, which stunned onlookers and fans, including President Donald Trump, who had served as the race's grand marshal.

 

"Praying for Ryan Newman, a great and brave @NASCAR driver! #PrayingForRyan," Trump wrote on Twitter on Monday.

 

(Reporting By Amy Tennery; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-02-19

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Watched the wreck in real time on Monday afternoon after a Sunday rainstorm cancelled the race.  It was a 3 lap shootout...Newman was in the lead on the last lap when 2 cars hooked up to pass him...he went to block and got shoved from behind by the faster cars...

 

Car came to rest upside down on the apron of the track...fire at the rear wheel...gasoline pour out heading for the fire...Newman trapped inside and unconscious...

 

Quick action by safety crews saved his life...could have lost him...

 

My guess is his long career may be over...he graduated university with an engineering degree...one of the nicest guys on the track.

Car and motorbike races are no longer up to date, the time has come to eliminate them!

NASCAR racing is so close, it only takes a few nudges to send a car flying - but looks like Newman was trying to block a much faster car.

 

Hope he recovers soon.