Ryan Newman recognized for top performance

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It is so refreshing to see Ryan Newman get the recognition he deserves. 

In a press release yesterday, NASCAR.com announced that Newman and the #39 team won two awards following the race at the Michigan International Speedway Sunday.

The DirectTV Crew Chief of the Race award went to Newman's Crew Chief Tony Gibson, for having the lowest average of qualifying result and race finish. Newman qualified fifth and crossed the checkers in fifth as well.

Newman won the Mobile1 Driver of the Race award, for having the best finish of eligible Mobile 1 drivers.

The release also quoted Newman's second engineer, Wes Gantt. 

Gantt remarked that Newman's engineering background helps the team because he is able to "look at data and interpret it."

In other news, just today, Speedtv.com noted that Ryan Newman has earned more points than any other Sprint Cup driver in the last five races. He has earned 187 points, just ahead of Jeff Gordon, with 186 and Jimmie Johnson with 184.

An article on their website calls Newman, the "hottest driver on the circuit at the moment." They say that fact might surprise a few people.

Consider me not among them. I am surprised when Newman has an off day. I have long considered him to be championship material. He is a hell of a driver, but has a bad relationship with Lady Luck. It is my opinion that once Newman learns to tame her, there will be no stopping the Rocketman.