Opportunity knocks for Newman at MIS

 

Ryan Newman has a chance to call two tracks home.

Newman, who hails from South Bend, Ind. raced at one of those tracks a couple of weeks ago when the NEXTEL Cup hit the famed Indianapolis Speedway.

Newman arrives at his other "home track" this week, as Michigan is the next stop on the "Race to the Chase."

With just four races remaining until NASCAR heads into its post season, Newman is on the outside looking in - but just barely.

The Top 12 drivers will race for a championship over the final 10 races of the 2007 season.

Newman is currently 13th, just 92 points behind teammate Kurt Busch.

Although both are fighting to earn a spot in the championship chase, Newman said he doesn't look at it that way.

"Well, my best answer for you there is we're not competing against each other," he said Tuesday during a NASCAR teleconference. "We've got two teams going for the last two spots in the Chase. That's the way we look at it. Obviously we're 92 points out of 12th. But Kurt is not too far behind 11th and 10th. Close to us, so, with four races to go, there's still opportunity for both of us to get in the Chase."

Newman is looking forward to Michigan because he has tasted victory here on a couple of occasions.

"Well, I think we've got a good opportunity. You know, this past weekend was a great opportunity. We didn't per se capitalize on it but we mid some small gains," he said. "Just look forward to Michigan. It's a fun racetrack to race at as far as a driver goes. You can do some really good racing there. Like you said, we've been in Victory Lane before.

"Just hopefully we're still looking for not only our first win of the season, but our first win of the last two seasons. We've got some work ahead of us. I think we'll have some capabilities. Just a matter of getting the job done," he added.

Even though he isn't in the Top 12 at this point in the season, Newman does think that the Chase format has been good for racing.

"I think the fans that follow the sport every week definitely feel that. I feel that just from them. I've had plenty of fans come up to me and talk to me about it. Yeah, there's very much merit in saying that," he said.

So with the teams getting ready to tackle Michigan International Speedway, Newman is ready to make his move for a spot in the "Chase for the Championship."

Sunday's race can be seen live on ESPN beginning at 1 p.m.