During the Late Modified Tour at Richmond Raceway, Ryan Newman experienced disappointment after a collision with Corey LaJoie in a late-race restart ended his race prematurely. The Corey LaJoie late-race incident Richmond occurred just ahead of the Cook Out 400, leaving Newman voicing his frustration and opening discussion about racing tactics and responsibility.
Close Race Becomes Contentious After Restart Accident
Ryan Newman, a former NASCAR driver, returned to competition at Richmond Raceway where he qualified eighth for the 150-lap event, logging a best lap of 21.825 seconds and reaching a top speed of 123.711 mph—placing him within reach of pole sitter Justin Bonsignore. Corey LaJoie began further down the field, starting in 22nd place with a time of 22.343 seconds and a top speed of 120.843 mph.
The pivotal moment unfolded during a late-race restart. Newman lost traction and control, an incident that quickly evolved into a collision with Corey LaJoie. Newman reflected on the situation in conversation with NASCAR analyst Matt Weaver, sharing the factors around the crash and expressing frustration about how the situation unfolded.
“I split my tires a little bit, but I mean modified racing, and kind of got to expect some of that. And Corey didn’t expect me to spin it, I guess, because he drove right through me. And I just want to thank Bass Pro Shops and USA for being on the cars, getting coolers. What they do for me is unfortunate. We took a car that qualified eighth and was completing the race with 50 to go, and had a good strategy, and like I said, I split the tires. But I wasn’t the only guy splitting tires on the restart. So the guy drove through, got up into the fence, and knocked the radiator out of it, and we’re done.” —Ryan Newman, Former NASCAR Driver
The damage forced Newman out of the competition at lap 100 of the scheduled 150, ending his run with a disappointing 16th-place finish. Meanwhile, Corey LaJoie, despite starting from the back, managed to steer his #77 Curb Records/Mohawk Northeast entry all the way to a fifth-place finish, capitalizing on the chaos of the restart and demonstrating resilience throughout the race. The incident highlighted both the unpredictability and intensity common on short tracks like Richmond.
Ryan Newman’s Perspective on NASCAR’s NextGen Car
Returning to the Cup Series in 2023 after retiring before the introduction of the NextGen (seventh-generation) cars, Newman teamed up with Rick Ware Racing to pilot the #51 Ford Mustang at Darlington Raceway. He offered honest feedback about handling the new equipment and adapting to the technical adjustments introduced since his last stint in the series.
“I will say that the practice and qualifying session was less dynamic than I thought it was going to be. The changes from the old car, the shifting, and all that stuff — I felt like I adapted to all that stuff rather quickly,” said the 2008 Daytona 500 champion (via Racer.com). —Ryan Newman, 2008 Daytona 500 Champion
“But the track is still my favorite, so that made it a lot easier. It’s easier to dance with a girl that knows how to dance,” Ryan Newman added. —Ryan Newman, 2008 Daytona 500 Champion
During the Goodyear 400 at Darlington, held on May 14, 2023, Newman qualified in 26th and concluded the race in 28th position. While his return was met with mixed results, his openness about the transition echoed the broader uncertainty and adjustment period faced by drivers adapting to NASCAR’s evolving cars and competition formats.
Looking Ahead After a Frustrating Outing
The sequence of events at Richmond Raceway has reignited discussions among drivers about split-second decisions and the risks of aggressive restarts. For Ryan Newman, appreciation for support from sponsors like Bass Pro Shops and a competitive car setup marked positives in an otherwise challenging outing. Corey LaJoie’s ability to rebound from the back while navigating through incident-laden circumstances flashes his potential as a part-time driver. As the NASCAR season continues, all eyes turn to how both veterans and new faces will adapt and respond at upcoming events, with Richmond standing as a dramatic reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the world of stock car racing.
