Newman Will Start 13th at Martinsville on Sunday
March 28, 2008
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (March 28, 2008) - Ryan Newman, driver of the Penske Racing No.12 Alltel Dodge Charger, will start 13th in the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 on Sunday afternoon at Martinsville Speedway.
Newman, who finished second at Martinsville Speedway in last year’s fall race, posted a fast lap of 95.079 mph (19.916 seconds). Pole winner Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet turned a lap of 96.288 mph (19.666 seconds).
“It was a decent run for the Alltel Dodge today,” Newman said. “We picked up from practice, but so did most of the other guys. We want to be able to start in the top 15 here because pit selection in so important at this track.
“We were a bit on the tight side, but Roy (McCauley) and the guys will get to work on this Alltel Dodge tomorrow and make it better.”
Newman has one win (Daytona) and two top-10 finishes in the first five races of the 2008 season. He is currently eighth in the NASCAR Cup points standings.
At Martinsville Speedway, Newman has accumulated five top-five and six top-10 finishes in 12 starts, including last year’s runner-up finish.
The Goody’s Cool Orange 500 will air live on FOX on Sunday, March 30, 2008, beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET. The race will also be broadcast live on MRN.