Newman is Awake and Alert After Daytona 500 Crash

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer

Two days removed from one of the most horrific crashes in NASCAR history, Ryan Newman continues showing improvement Wednesday.

Roush Fenway Racing issued its latest statement on all social media platforms:

“Ryan Newman continues to show great improvement after Monday night’s last-lap accident at Daytona International Speedway.

“The veteran driver is fully alert and walking around Halifax Medical Center. True to his jovial nature, he has also been joking around with staff, friends and family while spending time playing with his two daughters.”

Following their statement, the most encouraging news was a picture posted shortly thereafter showing Newman smiling and standing with his two daughters.

https://t.co/NnjnIOyE96 pic.twitter.com/GCQTm2nb1F

— Krissie Newman (@NewmanKrissie) February 19, 2020

While a driver for Newman’s No. 6 Ford Mustang for Sunday’s race at Las Vegas is yet to be announced, the racing community have shared their support to not only Newman, but also drivers Ryan Blaney and Corey LaJoie.

Bubba Wallace made several tweets of how Blaney is doing after the accident which incidentally saw him collided with Newman, who was leading coming towards the checkered flag.

Got to spend some time with YRB yesterday. He's holding up, of course devastated and bummed about the situation. Had to sit there and explain to him, could've happened to him or any of us in the field. It's RACING. Just unfortunate to be on either end of it.

— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) February 19, 2020

We of course "next day quarterbacked" it and looked at the what ifs but there are only 40 of us that truly understand the intense spur of the moments this sport throws at us. I know Ford should be proud to have him under their banner because he was so content..

— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) February 19, 2020

https://twitter.com/BubbaWallace/status/1230165802806075392

Corey LaJoie, who collided into Newman’s car, notably in the driver’s compartment, spoke for the first time Tuesday with Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan on Good Morning America.

LaJoie said he hasn’t seen the full video of the wreckage and wasn’t aware who he hit until he got out of the medical center when Bob Pockrass told him that Newman was sent straight to the hospital.

“I didn’t even know who I hit … Nobody realizes how fast 200 MPH is or how light or how uncontrollable these cars are when they get out of shape.” NASCAR racer @CoreyLaJoie says of the crash involving Ryan Newman. https://t.co/I7ue9xvSRu pic.twitter.com/qxuQNTiJFp

— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 18, 2020

Both Newman and LaJoie’s cars were taken back to NASCAR’s R&D Center for further evaluation.

Update: Nearly two hours later, Newman was treated and released from Halifax Medical Center.

Ryan Newman has been treated and released from Halifax Medical Center pic.twitter.com/J0twhGgQm7

— Roush Fenway (@roushfenway) February 19, 2020