Indiana native Ryan Newman scored an emotional win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday beating one of the best drivers in the world a day after winning the pole. Newman charged across the line to the roar of the partisan crowd with over a 2.5 second lead over four time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson who had won at the Brickyard on four previous attempts.
Newman led from the green flag and would keep the point through the first 28 laps until giving up the lead to Johnson when he pitted. Johnson would keep the lead through the first caution which didn’t come out until lap 59; it appeared that Johnson could be on his way to a fifth Indy win.
“Track position was really important, especially the way my car was driving,” Johnson said. “Although it had plenty of speed, it wasn’t the easiest thing to drive. My times that I caught lap traffic or had to pass someone for position, it took a lot of risk to get that done. Was able to manage all that well. “. MORE>>>
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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