Ryan Newman wins at Phoenix; fans elated

It has been a long time since I've been inspired to post in CHonTrack. Not only was I inspired Sunday while watching NASCAR at Phoenix, but I was moved to tears.

I breathlessly watched as Ryan Newman, my favorite driver, restarted in first place following a late race caution. He stayed out on old tires, while most of the rest of the field pitted for new rubber. Ryan had been fast for the entire race, but this gutsy strategy, combined with the sheer will to get it done brought him over the finish line to take the checkered flag. 

This was the first race Newman had won since 2013 when he won at Indianapolis. Even the prestige of winning at the Brickyard can only go so far. Newman was hungry for a win. He hadn't posted a win since joining Richard Childress Racing, now in his fourth season. He came oh-so-close to winning the race as well as the 2014 championship, but close doesn't really count in the large scheme of things. So, this was a sweet win for Newman and all of those of us who faithfully watch him every week.

This race started out like so many others. Newman's once-stellar qualifying efforts which earned him the nickname "Rocketman" have waned in recent years. He hasn't won a pole since 2013 either. Newman didn't make it to the second round of qualifying; he was set to start in position #22. I have to admit, my expectations weren't all that great, going into Sunday's race.

But things started looking up as Newman kept picking off car after car. There were also some problems with pit stops. As Newman would fight for every position on the track, he lost several due to slow pit stops. But that improved during the race as well. On the first stop, I believe I recall his losing five spots. While on the last pit stop, he actually gained a spot. 

Newman was, at times, the fastest car on the track. Anyone who has watched him, knows that when Newman has a fast car, he knows how to put it into Victory Lane. And, as he has proven so often, he and his team have perfected racing strategy. That was evident on that last call when Crew Chief Luke Lambert told him to stay out when nearly everyone else pitted. Staying out even on old tires gave him the track position he needed. He used the clean air ahead of him to rocket forward on the restart and never look back. Well, he probably did look back, using the rear view mirror enough to realize he had this one. 

It was obviously a grueling race, on a hot day in the desert. It took its toll on him, but Newman is a good winner. Congratulations to Ryan, Luke, and the entire #31 team for a job well done. Your fans appreciate you and share in your victory.

Ryan Newman to contend for Championship in NASCAR-created controversial Chase

Oh boy, #NASCAR, what a race it was at Phoenix! 

Honestly, I don't remember anything but the last lap, and of course its controversial aftermath.

I suppose if I was a Jeff Gordon fan, I too would be disappointed. Disappointed is one thing, but the vitriol against Ryan Newman has shocked me. 

Get a grip people! I've watched replays, read all the articles, and even made a few comments to set the record straight. 

For the record, Ryan Newman did not wreck Kyle Larson. No one was more disappointed at the finality of the race than Jeff Gordon., but even he agreed that Newman didn't wreck Larson.

"Well, he ran him wide. I don’t know if I’d say he wrecked him. He certainly ran him up the race track," Gordon said in a post race interview. 

What Newman did was race hard, which is his job. The video of the incident shows that Newman drifted up toward Larson's #42 in an effort to get around him. It appears as if Larson got loose, hit the wall, recovered, while Newman sped past him, gaining the one point he needed to advance to the final round in his quest for his first championship. It must be noted that Larson not only finished the race; he only lost two spots in the process. 

While the terms, "bumped, rubbed, and moved out of the way" are appropriate, it is wrong to characterize what happened as Newman wrecking the rookie Kyle Larson. 

Newman did nothing different than any other driver in the garage would have and has done. In fact, Kyle Larson did the same thing to Marcos Ambros the lap before. 

There was a championship on the line for Newman. He drove as hard as he had to to remain in contention. 

There is one thing Newman did, however, that other drivers don't normally do. Newman issued his regret for having to race that hard. With his characteristic good humor, in contrast to his appearance, sitting against a curb disheveled and exhausted, Newman justified the move as payback for Larson doing the same thing to him, costing him a $9,000 win in an Eldora dirt race. 

Winning isn't necessary

NASCAR has said it wants to reward winning. That sent mixed signals, since each round of the Chase for the Championship took away the perks for previous wins. 

Newman questioned NASCAR's move to reset the extra points for past race winners during the championship contender rounds, which indicates his open-minded fairness, since such a change would have hurt him and Matt Kenseth, who was also winless this season. 

Newman cannot be blamed for contending for the championship with no wins during the season. In fact, consider that Newman had to work even harder to gain points without a win. His consistency in making the most out of whatever hand he was dealt made the difference. The stats prove that too, as he was second overall in passing for points, behind Logano who won five races. Gordon, who was just one point behind Newman in the current standings was only sixth best in earning points. That statistic is a legitimate one, because it gauges passing other cars for position. Using that criteria, which NASCAR has done this year, winning appears much less important. 

Since the cars are so evenly matched, which is also NASCAR's doing, the only way to win is through strategy, using every advantage, such as for gas mileage, tire wear, fast pit stops, leading laps, and often times, aggressive driving. 

Chase for the Championship created drama

This year's Chase for the Championship has done what NASCAR intended it to do. It has raised the level of excitement to a fever pitch. I've been watching NASCAR since the Chase began and never has the bar been raised so high. The last three races ended in controversy over aggressive driving, though this was mild compared to the previous weeks. 

There was no potential violence between Newman and Larson. Quite the contrary in fact, as I've been told that Larson congratulated Newman on making it as a contender for the Championship.

That can't be said for the last two weeks, where Brad Keselowski's aggressive driving actually drew blood. At Charlotte two weeks ago, Matt Kenseth went after Keselowski. Last week it was Gordon that chased him down, resulting in both being bloodied about the face. NASCAR even issued fines against some of the crew members of teams that participated in the brawl.

Make no mistake, the stepped-up emotions of drivers, teams, and fans this year, is the doing of NASCAR's tweaking of the Chase for the Championship. 

UPDATE--Kyle Larson quote: 
"Coming to the finish, there were a lot of cars racing really hard. I knew the 31 was right around me, and knew he needed to gain some spots to keep from getting eliminated from the Chase. It's a little upsetting he pushed me up to the wall, but I completely understand the situation he was in, and can't fault him for being aggressive there. I think a lot of drivers out here would have done something similar if they were in that position."

Related articles

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NASCAR is going too far

Denny Hamlin drives the #11 car
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The recent announcement that Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 car, has been fined $25,000 for detrimentl comments is simply BS. Hamlin merely voiced his concerns last week that the new 'generation 6' car needed some tweaking because it was impossible to pass other cars on the race track. Hamlin drove to a third place finished at Phoenix.

Since the fine was imposed, Hamlin also stated that he has no intention of paying it.

"I believe I was severely disrespected by NASCAR by getting fined. I believe that the simple fact of us not even having a conversation about this issue before I was hit with a fine has something to say about our relationship," Hamlin told the media.

I couldn't agree more.

Who does NASCAR think it is, censoring a driver for having an opinion? This is America, where citizens are guaranteed free speech. There is no exemption for race car drivers that I know of.

NASCAR is a sanctioning body--not an almighty racing god--for which apparently they perceive themselves. That have made a practice of slinging their weight around in the form of monetary and driver points fines the last several years in a total arbitrary and capricious fashion, as far as I can tell.

Ironically, they are leveling fines for damaging the sport, but they are the ones damaging the sport. The result has been bad attitudes among the fans and poor morale among the drivers.

NASCAR has said it was going to let the drivers "have at it," yet if they do, they get slapped with fines. NASCAR is becoming ridiculous and needs to knock it off before auto racing goes the way of the dinosaurs.

On to Phoenix

Feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve, I'm excited to see Ryan Newman go to Phoenix International Raceway.

Daytona is always exciting, but it really isn't a good barometer of race car drivers' potential. So much can happen, usually does, and in Ryan's case, it did.

In Newman's mind, as well as probably all other drivers except for Matt Kenseth perhaps, the 2012 NASCAR racing season will start at Phoenix.

Newman's fans got a glimpse of what Ryan was able to do during the Daytona 500. There were times he was the fastest car on the track, driving in excess of 200 mph.

The flip side was as usual, due to circumstances beyond his control. It involved a spinout from a tire going down, and a pit road incident that resulted in his being two laps down. He never let up, fighting to get those laps back. When he finally got on the lead lap, he made it to the top 10 in a good position with four laps to go. He was inches away from being in the clear on the last crash of the night, as he made his way into the outside lane. Tony Stewart was about to meet up with him. The two had probably planned to draft in tandem toward the lead. It would have worked too, had Tony not been spun around. The result was that Tony Stewart got into Kyle Busch, who got into Ryan which sent him spinning. Pretty good, Newman was basically taken out by his teammate who was BEHIND him. Oh, Daytona!

Despite significant damage, Newman still managed to eek out a 21st-place finish.

Phoenix is nothing like Daytona. Phoenix is a drivers' race track, according to Newman. Its different corner configurations make it a challenge for a crew chief to get the car handling right. They do the best they can, but the driver has to make up the difference.

Phoenix is one of Newman's favorite tracks. It is where he got his start in what was then the Winston Cup back in 2000.

Newman got is first win at Phoenix in 2010. In nineteen starts there, Newman has seven top 5's; seven7 top 10's and started on the pole four times. He has led 171 laps there.

A very good day for Stewart-Haas Racing

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeSunday’s race at Phoenix did not disappoint. The race for the 2011 Sprint Cup Championship remains unchanged—tight--with just three points separating Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart; Kasey Kahne celebrates an end to his long winless streak in Victory Lane; Ryan Newman made nice with Lady Luck, as she allowed him to turn a dismal 30th place start into a top-5 finish.

I cannot think of a better result from the unknown that was the newly-configured PIR (Phoenix International Raceway). It was certainly a good day for Stewart-Haas Racing. The only negative was when Brian Vickers apparently intentionally wrecked pole sitter Matt Kenseth. Vickers has been nothing but a hazard during this Chase for the Championship. Kenseth deserved better.

Chase needs tweaking

Stewart and Edwards ran a good race, finishing as they started, three points apart. Stewart remains three points behind Edwards, despite his running a better race, leading the most laps. In truth, Stewart should be in the lead, sporting four wins in the 8-race Chase for the Championship. Edwards’ has not won a race during the Chase. His only saving grace was a win during the regular season, which caused him to start ahead of Stewart. Edwards was more consistent, since Stewart had a couple of bad finishes that hurt him. But, with two instances of back-to-back wins in the final eight, Stewart should be far ahead. Perhaps more points should be awarded for winning a title race.

Newman and pit road

Newman had no glitches on pit road to contend with at Phoenix. That made all the difference. Even with the handling of his race car being a tad inconsistent, Newman did a great job passing cars and wracking up points. It is just too bad that cannot be said for previous Chase races. Pit road blunders really cost Newman. I’m certain that will be a big topic for post-season. There has to be improvement before the 2012 season begins.

Speaking of pit road, what’s with Brad Keselowski?

After last week’s race at Texas Motor Speedway, Brad Keselowski complained that Ryan Newman intentionally blocked him in his pit stall. Scene Daily reported the story http://fb.me/KHNfRL7x. Keselowski had to back up to get back onto the track. In doing so, he ran into Denny Hamlin’s car.

Keselowski blamed Newman because he, Keselowski ran into Hamlin while backing out of his pit stall. Huh? Basically Keselowski blamed Newman for intentionally blocking him because Newman’s teammate/owner Tony Stewart is running is in the hunt for the championship. Newman admitted blocking Keselowski, but said he had to pull in at the angle he did to keep from hitting Keselowski’s jack man. Keselowski also intimated that Newman deliberately picked the #2 pit stall in front of his, to hamper his chance at the championship. Keselowski was angry that “the #39 (Newman) played the team orders card in the Chase.”

Newman’s Crew Chief Tony Gibson explained that they were surprised that pit stall was available. They qualified 24th and pickings were slim.

Keselowski’s charge was ridiculous and insulting.

Related articles

• Way to go Tony! (chontrack.blogspot.com)
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All Ryan Newman weekend at Phoenix

With the first two races of the 2011 season, it was a positive weekend for Ryan Newman.

During Sunday's race at Phoenix, Newman clawed his way into the top 10 in points with his #39 Tornados Chevy. He is listed in 8th place, but so is 7th-place Bobby Labonte and 9th-place Juan Pablo Montoya. 

When Newman started the race, he was in 24th place, reflective of his involvement in two last-laps crashes that put him out of contention for the win. While he finished that race in 22nd place, Newman had a much better potential, evidenced by his leading the most laps. He finished the race, even though he had to practically limp across the finish line. See previous story.

Newman started the Phoenix race in 14th, but ended it in fifth. He also led laps during Sunday's race as he fought twice to get ahead of the pack.

Fifth place at Phoenix was certainly respectable, though not quite what Newman was after. His last performance at the spring race there resulted in a win--Newman's last win. But he can certainly be proud of the run and the finish at Phoenix. Who knows how the outcome would have been had there not been a few hiccups on pit road. There were a few less than stellar pit stops that lost him track position.

Newman showed his grit at Daytona and his resilience at Phoenix.

Newman also ran in the Nationwide race at Phoenix the day before. He motored the #30 Dollar General car owned by Turner Motorsports. He started in sixth place, but finished fourth.

Friday night after the truck series, Newman appeared on Trackside on Speed TV. The conversation covered many aspects of his life of late, from his being a new father, to his win at Daytona in 2008, and general racing questions. 

Of course there was footage of his infamous crash at Talladega, to which Newman simply said, "I don't want to look." Who can forget that horrific accident that caused everyone watching to hold their breaths until they heard his voice on the radio?

The following day, Darrell Waltrip who co-hosted the show said Newman is normally quiet, but commented, "He was on a roll Friday."

Newman also appeared on Race Hub during the week.

Sweet win for Ryan Newman at Phoenix

Ryan Newman Photo & Ryan Newman Pictures

Watching the Sprint Cup race at Phoenix was a thrill, comparable only by the pinnacle of Ryan Newman's career – when he won the 50th running of the Daytona 500 in 2008.

As I watched the final laps of Saturday night's race, it was like watching the happy ending to a fine film where the plot moved along perfectly. That is just how Newman methodically moved up through the field at speeds to rival any other race car, showing just the right mix of patience, and determination. His drive to the checkered flag was obviously calculated. His aim was clear.

I admit that even as a diehard fan, I was comfortable with a top ten finish, a satisfactory points day.

I didn't seriously contemplate a victory for Newman, until I saw him re-enter the field after the last pit stop in second place. I had watched him pass Jeff Gordon all night. Suddenly I knew he could do it again.

I sat mesmerized, reliving Daytona in my mind, hoping for a similar result.

I couldn't believe my eyes when the leaders, including Newman, pitted with three laps to go. Taking two tires was a risk, but it was one played out by four other drivers in the top five. I recall Kyle Busch's late-race charge at Martinsville recently after pitting and using his four new tires to sprint to the finish ahead of the rest of the field. I hoped I wouldn't see that again.

But no matter what happened, I knew a nail-biting finish was about to commence for everyone that has ever cheered for the #39 car.

The Ryan Newman I so admire, a driver with ability far beyond the credit he receives, rocketed past Jeff Gordon, on the inside – no less – presenting an added dimension to his skill since the outside lane seemed to be the faster one.

Newman was masterful as he blocked Gordon and pulled away. As the white flag waved, I knew he was unstoppable.

It was a beautiful thing to watch. Newman was so deserving of the victory that has eluded him for two years. And it was fitting that he won at Phoenix – a track so special to him – the first track he drove in what was then the Winston Cup. It was ten years ago. How far he has come.

I chuckle at the thought that Newman's victory demonstrated that the know-it-all, biased commentators don't know everything they think they do. Not one of them considered that Newman would win the race, despite his skill, determination, and most of all ability. Those traits are obvious to those of us who listen to his radio communication and follow him his career. Yet, Newman wasn't even on their radar screen which apparently needs adjustment.

Newman's win Saturday night was not a surprise to me. The only surprise is that rotten luck didn't stand in the way this time. Newman has been driving well, gelling with his team, and gaining confidence.

My only hope is that perhaps a more objective eye from the broadcast booth will see the things in him that I see, the things that make Ryan Newman my favorite driver.

My congratulations to Ryan, the #39 team, and all of Stewart-Haas Racing. The race to the chase is on!