Likely NASCAR penalty could derail Newman's Chase chances
Despite Ryan Newman’s strong run in Sunday night’s Southern 500, a likely NASCAR penalty this week could derail his chances to make the championship Chase.
Photo by: Action Sports Photography
The cars of Newman, who finished eighth, and Kyle Larson, who finished third, both failed post-race inspection Sunday night, both failing to clear the Laser Inspection Station.
Similar instances this season have produced points penalties from NASCAR of 10 to 15 points (10 was the most recent). Larson is already in the Chase by virtue of his win at Michigan last month but Newman remains winless and is trying to make the 16-driver field on points.
To compound matters, Newman’s team has already been penalized this season for another issue and could get a stiffer penalty for being a repeat offender.
As it stands snow, Newman trails Jamie McMurray by seven points for the final transfer spot into the Chase with only next Saturday night’s race at Richmond, Va., left to qualify.
Win to get in
Even with his eighth-place finish and before the violation was announced, Newman sounded like a driver who believed he needed to win at Richmond to make the Chase field.
“Tonight wasn't what we wanted. We had a lot to overcome. We had a lot better car than our result and that's hard,” he said. “We were forced to drop to the back of the field at the start of the race and then got up to 16th before a caution put us two laps down during a pit sequence.
“Despite all that, we made it back on the lead lap to lead laps. Our Cat Chevy was fast from the get go and that's certainly a positive. It gives us hope going into Richmond. We go there like we always do, to win.
“I’ve been in this situation before. We’ll go and do everything we can to win and make the transfer.”
Future with RCR
Newman is also in the last year of his contract with Richard Childress Racing driving the No. 31 Chevrolet. He has said repeatedly this year he feels like he needs to win in order to be able remain with the RCR organization.
NASCAR is expected to issue penalties stemming from the Darlington weekend either Tuesday or Wednesday.
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