Race 2 Win: Sony HD 500 - Ryan Newman Notes

Nextel Cup Series

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Sony HD 500 - Ryan Newman Notes

Ryan Newman/California Advance

Notes:

Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 12 Alltel/SONY HDTV Dodge, will make his sixth California Speedway start and his 141st in the NASCAR Cup Series this Sunday.

In his five previous California Speedway starts, Newman has posted three top-10 finishes, all occurring in his last three appearances. Newman possesses an average finish of 14.6 at the speedway.

Last September, while sitting 10th in the series point standings with only two races remaining in the “Chase”, Newman earned a fifth-place finish at California Speedway to move into eighth in the standings.

In five qualifying attempts, Newman has qualified within the top 10 four times, including one pole in April 2002.

Matt Borland, crew chief of the No. 12 Alltel Dodge, is taking chassis PRS-79 to California Speedway this weekend. PRS-79 was first raced in this race one year ago and finished fifth.

The No. 12 Dodge will feature a special SONY HDTV paint scheme this weekend. This is the first race of the 2005 season where SONY has been the featured sponsor on the No. 12 Alltel Dodge. SONY HD is also the title sponsor of Sunday night's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race.

With two races remaining until the "Chase for the Championship", Newman and the Alltel team sit ninth in the series point standings. The team was 10th in the standings at this point one year ago.

After winning the past three NASCAR Busch Series races, Newman will concentrate solely on the NNCS race this weekend. The No. 39 Alltel Dodge will compete next at Dover International Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Newman has earned 21 top-10 starts this season, the most of all drivers.

The No. 12 Alltel team and the No. 2 Miller Lite team, both Penske Racing South entries, are tied for the top-spot in the Checkers/Rally's Challenge Award, which honors pit crews.

Newman spent Tuesday speaking with Curtis Bay Elementary school students, near Baltimore about the importance of pet care and his work with the humane society.

The SONY HD 500 will air live on NBC at 8 p.m., EDT, on Sunday, Sept. 4, and can be heard on MRN Radio.

Stats:
California Cup Starts: 5
Poles: 1 (April 2002)
Races/Laps Led: 3/7
Highest Finish: 3 (May 2004)

Quotes:
Newman on California Speedway: "Our last three trips to California Speedway have turned out pretty well for us. We would probably get to say the last four had been good, if it hadn't been for that lap one accident back in 2003. We've been unloading pretty good each time we’re there, and I look for that to happen again this weekend. The entire Alltel/SONY HDTV team is aware that we need a great finish to keep us in the chase this weekend. We're trying not to put any pressure on ourselves, but the thought will remain in the back of our minds this weekend, I'm sure."

Newman on SONY HDTV: "We only get one shot a year to run the Sony HDTV scheme on our car so we definitely want to put on a good show. I guess there's a little more pressure this year since the race is the Sony HD 500 and we're in Sony's backyard. We won with the Sony scheme in 2003 at Dover. I imagine if we win this weekend, it'll be quite a scene in victory lane!"

Appearances:

Autograph Session at Fry's Electronics Store, Anaheim 91 Freeway and Kramer. Thursday, Sept. 1, 5-6 pm, PDT.

News and Results | Point Standings | 2005 Schedule | 2005 Teams | 2004 Schedule and Results