NASCAR Driver Ryan Newman Says He Will Return to Racing After Crash

Ryan Newman looks on during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Ariz., on March 6, 2020. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NASCAR driver Ryan Newman said on April 26 that he will return to racing when the season resumes after he was involved in a fiery crash during the last lap of the Daytona 500 in February.

The 42-year-old driver was hospitalized for two days with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Newman announced his plan to return to the racetrack during the broadcast of the eNascar iRacing Pro Invitational Series at virutal Talladega Superspeedway.

“That’s the absolute plan, for sure,” Newman said. “I’m healthy. I’ve been blessed with another layer of this situation giving me more time to heal and look forward to being back in the seat.”

NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Feb. 17, 2020. John Raoux/AP

NASCAR driver Ryan Newman and his daughters, Brooklyn Sage (L) and Ashlyn Olivia, leave Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Feb. 19, 2020. Roush Racing via AP

NASCAR responded with a statement encouraging his return when he is medically ready. “We share Ryan’s enthusiasm in his return to the track. We look forward to Ryan returning to racing as soon as he is medically cleared to race.”

Newman raced the No. 6 Mustang for Roush Fenway Racing and Ross Chastain took his place during his three race absence prior to the suspension of the season due to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.

Chastain tweeted that he was happy about Newman’s announcement.

“I’m happy Ryan is returning to the No. 6 when NASCAR resumes,” Chastain tweeted. “He has a wonderful team around and it'll be great to see him back competing. Thanks to Jack, RFR and all their sponsors for letting me keep his seat warm while he was making his recovery.”

Roush Fenway Racing tweeted a quote from Newman saying, “My plan is to be back in the No. 6 Mustang when NASCAR returns to racing.”

The CNN Wire and Epoch Times staff contributed to this report.