Newman Gunning For AMS Qualifying Record Prior To Making 300th Start

Atlanta – Prior to making his 300th-career start in the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Ryan Newman will again try to make history at AMS by breaking a tie with Buddy Baker for the most poles in the Speedway’s history.

Tied with seven poles in Atlanta, Newman will try to surpass Baker during Georgia Power Qualifying Night at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday, March 5. While his last pole in Atlanta came in 2007, Newman reeled off six-straight poles on the 1.54-mile track from 2003 through 2005. And while his pole prowess obviously reflects Newman’s ability, the Stewart-Haas Racing competitor deflects the attention to the man he sits tied with.

“Atlanta has always been a place where I like to qualify, and it would be an honor to get the all-time pole record there,” Newman told AMS. “Buddy Baker really helped me throughout my racing career, and that’s why we named the car we won the Daytona 500 with after him.

“We always drove the tracks backwards because it gives you a different perspective of entry and exit points,” he continued. “That’s something we did at Atlanta when he was teaching me about the track and I have always qualified well there, so I think it would be an honor to both of us if I am able to get my eighth pole there.”