Talladega II: Ryan Newman race report

Newman Finishes 23rd in Talladega

TALLADEGA, Ala. (Oct. 31, 2010) -- Ryan Newman finished his first superspeedway race in more than a year, but it wasn't the result the U.S. Army driver was looking for at Talladega Superspeedway.

Newman's late-race charge in Sunday's AMP Energy Juice 500 Sprint Cup race failed to materialize as he posted a 23rd-place finish at the 2.66-mile oval.

"We just couldn't make it work at the end," said a disappointed Newman. "We didn't get the push we needed and got boxed in. We fought hard and never quit in the Army Chevrolet. I guess the only good news that came out of this race is that we didn't get collected in the wrecks and finally brought the car home with all of the fenders on it. We'll Soldier on from here and give it our best effort in the final three races of the season."

Newman qualified eighth and ran into trouble early, falling a lap down due to a vibration. But the right adjustments were made to the No. 39 Army car on the first pit stop, which eventually allowed Newman to race his way back on the lead lap shortly before a caution on Lap 134 of 188.

"Our U.S. Army Chevrolet was hauling and running right with the leaders when we got back on the lead lap," said crew chief Tony Gibson. "At that point I knew we had a car that could win, but it didn't come together in the closing laps. We are all disappointed that we didn't have a better finish."

Newman remains 15th in the driver point standings.

Newman's teammate, Tony Stewart, suffered an early flat tire and finished 31st. He remains seventh in the Chase standings.

The race winner was Clint Bowyer. Rounding out the top-five in order were: Kevin Harvick, Juan Pablo Montoya, David Reutimann and Joey Logano.

The Chase points race is turning out to be a three-way battle. Jimmie Johnson leads -- he is 14 points ahead of Denny Hamlin and 38 in front of Harvick.

The next Sprint Cup race is Sunday (Nov. 7) at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

-source: shr