By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief
Ryan Newman will return to Richard Childress Racing after signing a multi-year extension that will keep him with the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet beyond the 2017 season.
The 38-year-old Hoosier will be back for his fourth year with the organization and 16th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
“I am pleased to continue driving for Richard Childress Racing,” Newman said.
“Our goal to win a championship all but turned into a reality during our first year together. I feel like since then, we have some unfinished business to complete. I’m fortunate to have forged a great relationship with my crew chief Luke Lambert, and I very much want to not only help him reach our goal of winning a Cup championship but also getting him his first Cup victory.”
The combination of Lambert and Newman has proved successful for RCR, having made two straight Chase appearances – including 2014 when he fell just one position short of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crown behind Kevin Harvick. Throughout his career, ‘Rocket Man’ has 17 wins, including in the one Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400. In 542 starts, Newman has amassed 51 poles, 105 top fives and 224 top 10s.
“Ryan’s consistency on the track has been a benefit to our organization and this extension solidifies the future of our racing program,” said Richard Childress, chairman and CEO of RCR.
“Ryan proved the first year he was here that we could contend for championships and with this continuation, I believe we can fulfill our commitment to winning races and a championship. Ryan has worked hard to represent many of our partners, especially the primary sponsors Caterpillar, Grainger and WIX Filters, helping them to get the most out of their respective racing programs.”
