Ryan Newman explains how Cody Ware’s domestic violence arrest made the RWR deal ‘fell onto his plate’

Ryan Newman returned to Cup racing after a one-year break this season.

Ryan Newman explains how Cody Ware’s domestic violence arrest made the RWR deal ‘fell onto his plate’

Cody Ware and Ryan Newman (Via IMAGO)

The 2023 season marked the return of seasoned veteran Ryan Newman to the NASCAR Cup Series. He made his first Xfinity Series start since 2012 and his first Cup start since his retirement from the sport in 2021 this season. The veteran was also a full-time contender in the SRX series and won this year’s title.

He made One Xfinity series start and six Cup series starts this season. MBM Motorsports initially approached him to drive the No:66 Ford at Homestead Miami, the playoff race. But he got the opportunity to make his Cup start way before, at Darlington, driving the No:51 Ford. He drove 51 and 15 cars of Rick Ware Racing, scoring the best finish of P27 at the second Darlington race.

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Newman landing the Cup deal was due to the arrest of RWR driver Cody Ware for domestic violence and his indefinite suspension over felony charges. Newman pointed out that this easily gave him the Cup opportunity. He raced in the short tracks this season, and it had to do with the safety gains that came with it.

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The Rick Ware Racing deal fell onto my plate because of what happened with Cody [Ware], it gave me the opportunity to pick some races to come and race. I wanted to do a short track because they made some safety gains with it, and Homestead is an awesome track. I don’t think anyone that’s here hates coming.

Ryan Newman told Frontstretch.

Ryan Newman explains how much the SRX championship meant to him

Newman made his second full-time start in Tony Stewart’s Superstar Racing Experience this season. He redeemed himself by winning the title and dominating the event after finishing second behind Tony Stewart last year. It was his first championship after over 20 years.

Ryan Newman (Via IMAGO)
Ryan Newman (Via IMAGO)

He finished inside the top-5 in all six series events and won the Stafford Motor Speedway race. He finished on the podium thrice from the remaining five races, and his worst finish was a P5. Winning the title against the likes of Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte was a big deal for him.

My previous championship was in 1999. So, 20-plus years later, trying to be a Cup champion, then beating guys who are Cup champions like Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte, put that feather in my cap. It was a lot of fun racing those races on short tracks and dirt. I always said if you don’t like that, you’re not a racer.

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