Ryan Newman

 

 Ryan was born on Dec. 8th 1977, and is currently a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He is backed by Stewart Haas Racing, driving the #39 Tornados Chevrolet Impala. In 2001, he graduated from Purdue University and is the only active NASCAR driver to have a college degree. Him and his wife currently operate the Ryan Newman Foundation, where they encourage people to spay or neuter their pets, and educate people of the importance of conservation so the beauty of the outdoors. He holds a B.S. degree in vehicle structure engineering. In 1993 he won both Rookie of the Year and the Championship for United Midget Auto Racing Association and the All-American Midget Series. Then in 1999 he was the first driver to win in all 3 divisions while being the Silver Bullet Series Champion in the Beast Chassis. In the year 200 he began racing for Roger Penske which is a legendary racing icon. He made his Winston Cup debut at Phoenix International Raceway his first season with Penske. Also in 2001 he ran 15 Busch Series, winning his first career win at Michigan International Speedway, in his 9th career start. Newman also finished seventh in points at the Chase for the Cup in 2004. However in 2006 and 2007 he failed to win a race, although in 2008 he won the Daytona 500. This was Penske first win for the Daytona 500 as well. He then joined Dale Earnhardt’s, JR Motorsports for the 2009 campaign. Newman was involved in a heavy crash at Talladega Superspeedway, where he flipped over Kevin Harvick on the entrance of the 3rd turn. The crew had to use the Jaws Of Life to get the roof off of the car after NASCAR officials had flipped it back over. Newman was unharmed in this crash and was able to keep racing in 2010. He then broke a 78 race winless streak with a win at PHX International Raceway for Subway Fresh Fit 600.