The Army is the strength of the Nation, and the Soldier is the strength of the Army.
As the driver of the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), Ryan Newman taps into that strength throughout the 36-race NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. But it’s in round No. 12 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway with the running of the Coca-Cola 600 where that strength carries increased significance.
The Coca-Cola 600 is the Sprint Cup Series’ longest race, and it’s a staple of Memorial Day weekend. Beyond the mental, physical and emotional fortitude necessary to log 400 laps around Charlotte’s 1.5-mile oval, Newman carries a badge of honor in the star of the U.S. Army logo that adorns the chest of his uniform and the hood of his racecar. It’s an understatement to say the ribbons of camouflage that stretch across Newman’s racecar provide a great deal of pride for the 11-year Sprint Cup veteran.
Since taking the wheel of the U.S. Army Chevy upon joining SHR in 2009, Newman has had the privilege of meeting Army Strong Soldiers at many bases across the country and in one-on-one encounters at the racetrack.
At each opportunity, Newman makes every effort to shake the hands of Soldiers and thank them for their service. As a representative of the U.S. Army, Newman understands now, more than ever, that he is able to do the job he loves and have the freedoms we all cherish thanks to the men and women who serve and protect our country.
This Memorial Day weekend, as the nation takes a moment to remember those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice, Newman plans to use Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 as his moment to spotlight the heroics of those who serve in America’s all-volunteer force.
The high-banked, high-speed oval has always been a favorite of the South Bend, Ind., native ever since he wheeled a rental car with mentor Buddy Baker in the passenger seat. Newman’s love for the track was obvious in his first stock car outing there in the 2000 ARCA race, when he started on the pole and dominated the race, leading 66 of 67 laps en route to victory.
He followed up that win by claiming his first-ever Sprint Cup pole position in just his third series start in May 2001. The following season, Newman shocked the field when he went from worst to first to become only the second Sprint Cup rookie to capture a victory in the non-points All-Star Race.
Newman’s NASCAR Nationwide Series record at Charlotte is equally impressive, as he has one win (2005), three top-five and four top-10 finishes in four starts.
In 22 career Sprint Cup starts at Charlotte, Newman has nine poles – the most of any active driver and second on the all-time Sprint Cup pole list to only David Pearson, who has 14 poles. Newman has four top-five and eight top-10 finishes, with a best finish of second in October 2003 and in the 2009 Coca-Cola 600.
Newman has proven he knows what it takes to get around Charlotte, despite the fact that a win in a points-paying Sprint Cup race has so far escaped him.
Being the best in the marathon-like Coca-Cola 600 takes the same attributes the Army looks for in its Soldiers – putting the mission first, a never quit attitude and a refusal to accept defeat. To emerge as the victor in the Sprint Cup Series’ longest race, Newman will have to pass a challenge no other race presents. Succeeding in that challenge at the helm of the U.S. Army Chevrolet would be an appropriate tribute to the more than one million Soldiers actively protecting our freedom and way of life.
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