Newman to Start 13th in Food City 500 on Sunday at Bristol
March 14, 2008
BRISTOL, Tenn. (March 14, 2008) - Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman, driver of the Penske Racing No.12 Alltel Dodge Charger, will start 13th in the Food City 500 on Sunday afternoon at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Inclement weather forced the cancellation of qualifying and shortened practice on Friday. Per the NASCAR Rule Book, the field was set by the 2007 owner points. This is the second time this season that NASCAR Cup qualifying has been rained out. It was also rained out at California Speedway.
"We were able to get about an hour of practice in earlier today before the rain came," Newman said. "I think we were definitely headed in the right direction with what we were doing to the Alltel Dodge before we got rained out. Roy (McCauley - crew chief) and the guys have a good plan and know what I need to have a good car for Sunday's race. Hopefully, we'll be able to get some more practice in tomorrow although they are calling on rain."
Newman has one win and two top-10s in four races this season. He has not finished outside of the top 15, and he is currently fourth in the Cup points standings. At Bristol, Newman has one top-five and six top-10s in Cup competition. He and McCauley combined for one win at Bristol in the Nationwide Series in 2005.
The Food City 500 will air live on FOX on Sunday, March 16, 2008, beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET. The race will also be broadcast live on PRN beginning at 2 p.m.
Inclement weather forced the cancellation of qualifying and shortened practice on Friday. Per the NASCAR Rule Book, the field was set by the 2007 owner points. This is the second time this season that NASCAR Cup qualifying has been rained out. It was also rained out at California Speedway.
"We were able to get about an hour of practice in earlier today before the rain came," Newman said. "I think we were definitely headed in the right direction with what we were doing to the Alltel Dodge before we got rained out. Roy (McCauley - crew chief) and the guys have a good plan and know what I need to have a good car for Sunday's race. Hopefully, we'll be able to get some more practice in tomorrow although they are calling on rain."
Newman has one win and two top-10s in four races this season. He has not finished outside of the top 15, and he is currently fourth in the Cup points standings. At Bristol, Newman has one top-five and six top-10s in Cup competition. He and McCauley combined for one win at Bristol in the Nationwide Series in 2005.
The Food City 500 will air live on FOX on Sunday, March 16, 2008, beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET. The race will also be broadcast live on PRN beginning at 2 p.m.