Newman Starts 16th at Charlotte as Rain Cancels Qualifying

October 9, 2008


CONCORD, N.C.  (Oct. 9, 2008) - Ryan Newman, driver of the Penske Racing No.12 Alltel Dodge Charger, will start 16th in the Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway (LMS) on Saturday night after rain washed out practice and qualifying today. It is the eighth time that qualifying has been rained out in the NASCAR Cup Series this season.

Per the NASCAR Rule Book, the field was set by the 2008 owner points. The No. 12 Alltel Dodge team is currently 16th in NASCAR Cup Series owner point standings.

 "I'm disappointed we didn't get the chance to qualify tonight," said Newman, who has seven poles in 15 starts at the 1.5-mile track. Newman has qualified outside of the top four only three times in his career at LMS. "We had a really good test here, so I am looking forward to see how we do in two practices tomorrow."

Newman has three top-five and five top-10 finishes in 15 starts at LMS. He finished 21st at the Charlotte track in the May race.

Coverage of the Bank of America 500 begins on the ABC television network on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. EDT. The race can also be heard on the PRN beginning at 7:25 p.m. EDT.

DRIVER: Ryan Newman
STARTING POSITION: 16th

POLE: Jimmie Johnson

PENSKE RACING TEAMMATES
19. Kurt Busch
36. Sam Hornish Jr.