Newman, Alltel Team Focus On A Trip To Victory Lane

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Sept. 4, 2007) Even though Ryan Newman, driver of the No.12 Alltel Dodge Avenger, isn't in the hunt for a Chase position anymore, there are still 11 more races left for Newman and the Alltel Dodge team to find their way into victory lane.

Now that were officially out of the Chase hunt, things will still remain the same for me and the Alltel Dodge team, Newman said following Sundays race in Southern California.We still have 11 more races to try to get the Alltel Dodge in victory lane. Really, Im still in the same place as I was before. I still try as hard as I can each and every lap, no matter what. Couldnt expect to make up as much as we did, it would have been a miraculous effort in these last two races. Nevertheless, well just keep trying.

This weekend at Richmond International Raceway, Newman will participate in his final NASCAR Busch Series race of the season. Newman will make his fourth appearance in the Busch Series at RIR in Friday nights Emerson Radio 250 and his 38th in the series.

All of Newmans Busch starts at RIR have been from the fourth position or higher, while two of his finishes have been in the top 10.

Newman has led 10 laps in one race at Richmond. He has completed 750 laps of a possible 750, giving him a 100 percent completion rate since he first competed in a Busch event at the 0.75-mile track in 2001.

This is our final race in the Busch Series [this season] and Id like to go out on a high note and give this team a win before the season is over, Newman said.Were not racing for points, so were going to do everything we can to grab the checkered flag and have a good race.

Newman will make his 12th Cup start at the Northern Virginia track Saturday night in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. It will be his 214th career start in the Cup Series.
Newman has an average start of 9.3 and an average finish of 11.1. He has one Bud Pole Award at RIR along with six other top-10 starts, including five from the top five.
Newman has led 355 laps in seven races at RIR. He has completed 4,275 laps of a possible 4,393, possessing a completion rate of 97.3 percent at the Richmond, Va., track.

Crew Chief Michael Nelson and the No. 12 Alltel Dodge Avenger team will take PRS-513 to Richmond. The car was last raced at Loudon in July when Newman started 12th and finished 10th. The back-up car is chassis PRS-519, which has not been raced this year. However, it was tested at Lowes Motor Speedway in May.
Friday nights Emerson Radio 250 will be broadcast live by ESPN2 and MRN Radio beginning at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Saturday nights Chevy Rock & Roll 400 will be covered by ABC and MRN Radio with the live broadcasts beginning at 7 p.m. EDT.