It Takes ‘Strength Like None Other’ To Tame ‘Monster Mile’

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In: NASCAR Cup Series News

In the same way only the strongest wear the colors of the U.S. Army, only the strongest drivers and race teams conquer and claim victory at Dover (Del.) International Speedway.

Ryan Newman likens the strength it takes to tame the concrete mile oval commonly referred to as the “Monster Mile” to the same strength our Soldiers exhibit in their everyday duties serving our Nation. U.S. Army Strong Soldiers possess a physical, mental and emotional strength like none other.

In Newman’s eyes, the high-banked Dover oval is one of the most physically demanding racetracks on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit. Because it is so physically demanding, it is imperative for drivers to be in shape both physically and mentally, and on top of their game in every respect, just like our Army Strong Soldiers, who are the strength of our Nation.

Newman knows Dover is a tough track. It can wear a driver down both physically and mentally, so it’s important to be emotionally prepared for all of its many challenges.

And so, the always analytical engineering graduate from Purdue University understands his U.S. Army race team must reflect those same qualities and exemplify Army Strong characteristics if it is to achieve its goal of winning Sunday’s AAA 400 Sprint Cup race.

The driver of the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) is accustomed to staring down the “Monster Mile,” taking a stronghold of his races there and snatching victory from his 42 other Sprint Cup Series competitors, refusing to accept defeat every lap of the way.

Newman has three victories in Sprint Cup Series competition at Dover, boasting an average finish of 11.7 there. Only Richmond (Va.) International Raceway weighs in better for Newman – ever so slightly – with an average finish of 11.6.

In 21 starts at Dover, Newman has four poles (June 2003, 2006 and 2007, September 2005), three wins (June and September 2003, September 2004), six top-five finishes and 11 top-10s. Newman also has a 2005 NASCAR Nationwide Series win at the track.

Newman’s September 2004 win at Dover was one of his most dominant performances in his 11-year Sprint Cup career.

He qualified on the outside pole for the 400-lap race but, by the end of lap one, he was shown as the leader and he showed no mercy to his other Sprint Cup competitors, leading 325 of 400 laps. In fact, Newman built a commanding eight-second lead en route to the win and claimed the first-ever “Monster Trophy” given out by track officials.

With his current No. 39 SHR Chevy team, Newman has five top-15 finishes at Dover in seven starts.

Despite failing to make this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Newman and his team have been on a roll in recent weeks. In the last 11 races, Newman has finished 11th or better nine times. Understandably, Newman & Company are eager to continue building on that momentum and make a run for 13th place in the season-ending points – the best position achievable by a non-Chase driver – with eight races left on the schedule.

To complete that mission, it will be imperative for the U.S. Army driver to rely on the lessons he has learned from the many Soldiers he has met over the past four seasons, and the ones he will meet this weekend at Dover. He will tackle the “Monster Mile” with tenacity and will exhibit that strength like none other, showing what it means to be Army Strong. In doing so, Newman and his team are focused onvictory to honor the more than 1 million Soldiers who protect our freedoms and who Newman & Company so proudly represent.

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