News

BROOKLYN, Mich.  (August 15, 2008) - Ryan Newman, driver of the Penske Racing No.12 Alltel Dodge Charger, qualified 20th for the 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

Newman turned a quick lap of 185.238 miles per hour (38.869 seconds). Brian Vickers, driver of the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota, won the pole with a lap of 188.536 miles per hour (38.189 seconds).

"For no practice, that was a pretty decent lap," said Newman, who only got two laps of practice in the No. 12 Alltel Dodge on Friday afternoon because of an engine change. "The car drove alright, but I really didn't know what we had, so I took it a little easy.

"Obviously, I wish we had the primary engine in there but it was a great effort by the guys to change the engine and get me back out on the track prior to qualifying for a couple of laps. We have two practices to get the Alltel Dodge right tomorrow, so hopefully we will have a good package that will help us to come through the field on Sunday."

Newman will have to start at the rear of the field in the 3M Performance 400 on Sunday due to the engine change.

In 14 previous starts at Michigan, Newman has two wins, four top-five and four top-10 finishes. Newman is currently 15th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings. He is 204 points away from the cutoff for the Chase for the NASCAR Cup.

Coverage of the 3M Performance 400 begins on the ESPN television network on Sunday, August 17 at 1 p.m. EDT. The race can also be heard on the MRN Radio Network at 1:15 p.m.

DRIVER: Ryan Newman
STARTING POSITION: 20 

POLE: Brian Vickers

PENSKE RACING TEAMMATES
13. Kurt Busch
23. Sam Hornish Jr.