Daytona 500 Ends Tragically for Driver Ryan Newman Yesterday
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 18, 2020
During the final stretch of the race, Newman lead the pack by a hair, with drivers Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin trailing right behind him. Contact from Blaney’s car sent Newman crashing into the wall and eventually into another driver’s vehicle, sending him into the air and turned upside down. Newman’s car caught fire but was quickly put out by track personnel. He was extracted by the vehicle by emergency respondents and evacuated to a nearby hospital.
A stretcher is next to Newman’s car. Crews are using black screens to keep fans from seeing. And media has just been told to leave the pits. #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/OFFIpTWcoz
— Joe Kepner (@JoeKepner) February 18, 2020
Ryan Newman at age 42, is a 19-year NASCAR veteran who currently runs the No. 6 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing. He won the 2008 Daytona 500. Much support and prayers go out to Ryan Newman and his family.