Newman wants to capitalize, move into Chase field

CONCORD, N.C. - Ryan Newman finished seventh in the Pennsylvania 500 and still lost ground on the two guys he's battling to get into the Chase For The Nextel Cup.

Newman's Penske Racing teammate, Kurt Busch, won the race to move into 12th, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. was second and dropped to 13th with just five races remaining before the 12-driver Chase field is set.

 

Newman's Penske Racing teammate, Kurt Busch, won the race to move into 12th, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. was second and dropped to 13th with just five races remaining before the 12-driver Chase field is set.

 

Earnhardt Jr. is seven points behind Busch, and Newman is 90 points behind Busch.

 

"We just have to stay focused and be doing what we've been doing and take it to the next level," Newman said Monday at Lowe's Motor Speedway, where he was testing for Goodyear. "We've had good runs, but we didn't capitalize on the guys we need to capitalize on, and that's what it's all about."

Newman had started fourth in the race at Pocono, while Busch started second.

 

"It was a great run for both Penske drivers," Newman said. "It wasn't the finish I thought we were capable of, but it was a good run for both teams."

The series heads to its final road-course race of the season this weekend at Watkins Glen. Michigan, Bristol, California and Richmond also remain before the Chase.

 

And with two short-tracks and a road-course race, Newman believes it's wide open as far as who makes the Chase.

"Crazy stuff can happen between Bristol, Richmond and the road course," he said.