(By Greg Engle)
Posted: Monday,November 2nd, 2009
(By Sarah Farlee,CupScene.com, Senior Staff Writer)
TALLADEGA AL- Ryan Newman went for a wild ride at the Talladega Superspeedway in Sunday’s AMP Energy 500. Newman, who was unhurt, says he was disappointed in NASCAR – not to mention sore.
The accident was a byproduct of racing on the 2.66 mile Alabama oval. Newman was hit from behind and it was on from there.
“I got up in the air and just kept flipping and flopping,” said Newman, who took a tumble at Daytona in 2003. “Unfortunately, the cage came down on top of my head and I couldn’t get out.”
TALLADEGA, AL - NOVEMBER 01: Crew chief Tony Gibson (L) looks over the #39 U.S Army Chevrolet, driven by Ryan Newman, in the garage after a car incident on track during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on November 1, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
“I had the roll bars down on top of my helmet and stuck upside down inside my U.S. Army Chevrolet,” added Newman, who was cut from the car.
Newman was involved in the spring melee where Carl Edwards tumbled into the catch fence and seven fans were injured.
“We had this race back here in the spring and complained about cars getting airborne and now ironically I’m the guy that gets upside down,” said Newman.
“There is way more technology than that to help us out. Whether it is a speed issue, a roof flap issue, whatever. I said it myself in the media center after the Spring race here, and now to be the guy standing here trying to live it all out again, I’m just happy I am living it out. But it is a ridiculous situation. It is a shame that not more is getting done. I don’t know.”
Newman was critical of the racing in general. He wishes NASCAR would do something to keep races from getting boring.
“It was a boring race for the fans,” said Newman. “That’s not something anybody wants to see at least I hope not. If they do, go home because you don’t belong here.”
“It’s just a product of this racing and what NASCAR has put us into with this box and these restrictor plates with these types of cars. You know with the yellow line, no bump-drafting, no passing. Drivers used to be able to respect each other and race around each other. Richard Petty, David Pearson and Bobby Allison and all those guys have always done that. I guess they don’t think much of us anymore.”
Newman says the boredom is created because races have lost their luster and there is simply a need to survive.
“The more rules, the more NASCAR is telling us how to drive the race cars, the less we can race and the less we can put on a show for the fans.”
When asked if he would talk to NASCAR, Newman said he wouldn’t because it wouldn’t matter.
“I guess maybe I expect NASCAR to call me,” said Newman. “I am the only guy out there with an engineering degree. I would like to have a little respect on my end.”
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