Newman, affectionately known as Rocket Man, has had an illustrious NASCAR career that spans over two decades, from 2000 to 2023. He has made a name for himself with incredible speed during qualifying, having secured 51 Cup Series poles, placing him ninth on the all-time list. His career highlights include winning the 2008 Daytona 500 and the 2013 Brickyard 400. As the 2002 Rookie of the Year, he has accumulated 117 top-fives and 268 top-ten finishes, alongside 18 wins in over 700 Cup Series starts.
Newman enjoyed success with Team Penske, where he racked up 13 wins between 2002 and 2008. He also drove for other prestigious teams, including Stewart Hass Racing, Richard Childress Racing, and Roush Fenway Racing, further establishing his reputation in the NASCAR community.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., another standout figure in NASCAR, has significantly shaped the sport’s landscape. With two Daytona 500 wins in 2004 and 2014, along with back-to-back NASCAR Xfinity Series championships, Dale Jr. has captured the hearts of fans across the nation. He has also been named the Most Popular Driver an impressive 15 consecutive times, ranking second in the all-time list behind Bill Elliott.
In addition to his racing commitments, Dale Jr. has recently proposed a unique twist to the promoter’s caution rule for the 2025 All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. He advocates for fan engagement through a live voting system via the NASCAR app, an initiative aimed at increasing viewer involvement in the decision-making process surrounding caution periods. The current rules allow for promoter-controlled cautions, leading to discussions on potential improvements to the Next Gen car’s performance on short tracks.
This upcoming debut of Ryan Newman in the CARS Tour demonstrates not only the excitement of a legendary driver continuing his career but also the collaboration between influential figures like Dale Jr. and Kevin Harvick. The event is poised to capture audience attention and may lead to new dynamics in how fans interact with NASCAR races in the future.