Charlotte – For race number 31 of 35 on the Nationwide Series schedule, teams turn to their backyards this week to run the Dollar General 300 at Lowe’s (N.C.) Motor Speedway. When Ryan Newman climbs behind the wheel of the No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) Hungry-Man Chevrolet Friday night, he will be making his third career Nationwide Series starts at the 1.5-mile track.
In two previous Nationwide Series starts at the track, Newman has one win and a third-place finish, both coming in 2005. In that same season, Newman ran a total of nine races, dominating his way to six wins, two third-place and one 16th-place finish.
TRIPLE DUTY: In addition to driving the No. 33 KHI Chevrolet this weekend, Newman will start his week off on Wednesday as he joins the stars of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Saturday night he’ll be back in his number 39 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet for round five of the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup Series Championship. Newman currently sits 10th in the points standings, 223 points out of first.
In 17 career Cup Series starts at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Newman has won eight poles on his way to earning four top-five and six top-10 finishes. His best finish is second, coming earlier this year at the May event and in 2003.
AUTOGRAPH SESSION: Ryan Newman will be on-site at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Friday from 1:15 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Hungry-Man display located outside the frontstretch of the speedway signing autographs. Stop by for a Hungry-Man sampling and a Newman autograph.
FINAL FIVE: This weekend will mark the first of the final five races of the 2009 Nationwide Series schedule. Newman will take to the wheel at Charlotte, followed by Kelly Bires at Memphis (Tenn.) Motosports Park, Kevin Harvick at Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix before Newman closes the season at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.
BEFORE THE RACE: QUOTES WITH DRIVER RYAN NEWMAN:
Does it help to run the Nationwide race on Friday night at Charlotte before climbing into the Cup car on Saturday night?
“Any time we can get extra seat time is beneficial. Being in the Chase, the cars don’t compare that much, but the extra track time is helpful. Charlotte is a track I enjoy running and I’m looking forward to getting back in the No. 33 KHI car this weekend.”
With eight total poles (13 top-four starts in 17 career Cup Series starts) in the Cup Series at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and a second-place starting position in the Nationwide Series (only two career starts in NNS), what makes this a good qualifying track for you?
“I really enjoy the race track and speed, obviously, and the banking. I’ve always said I really enjoy banked race tracks and this is one of the best and fastest banked race tracks out there. I’ve always just been blessed with fast race cars. I couldn’t do it without fast race cars. I’ve always told my crew chief, whoever it is at the time, if you give me a straight arrow, I’ll shoot it straight. But don’t expect me to shoot a crooked arrow to the pole. And they’ve done a very good job for me.”
Having won the 2002 All-Star Challenge and a Nationwide race at Charlotte, is that something you appreciate more with all the history associated with the track?
“Absolutely. It’s Charlotte, its home field. There’s no home field advantage but its home field. It’s a place that we all try to shine. It’s a very historic race track. There are a lot of great driver’s that have won there. Joining that list is what we all search for.”
Is it a relief for teams to race at Charlotte before the final races of the season?
“Really, it’s just nice to be home for that weekend. I really enjoy it. I like Charlotte. It’s one of my favorite race tracks. So having it in the backyard is really nice. I wouldn’t say it’s a time where we re-group, but just to be home and enjoying some more time with the family is probably a good thing for everybody.”
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