He’s set to compete again on Wednesday at the same venue in the Toyota 500 and remains on the fringes of the playoff hunt due to the sport’s extended hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic. He’s at 60 points despite driving in three fewer races than the rest of the field; the cutoff is currently 107 points with most of the season left to go.
Here’s a look at Newman’s quick turnaround and recovery timeline, from the moment of the crash at Daytona to his remarkable return to racing three months later.
MORE: Behind the NASCAR experience without fans
Ryan Newman timeline, from Daytona crash to Darlington return
Feb. 16, 8 p.m. ET: The crash at Daytona
Just before the finish line at the Daytona 500, Newman was knocked unconscious by a wild crash in which his car flipped, got rammed into at full speed and caught fire.
As Denny Hamlin sped to victory, unaware of the mess behind him, paramedics rushed to assist Newman.
The veteran driver was taken to nearby Halifax Medical Center with his status unknown to the NASCAR community. It was later revealed that he was placed in a medically induced coma at the hospital.
Feb. 16, 10:04 p.m. ET: NASCAR provides first update on Newman’s condition
A two-hour silence regarding Newman’s condition ended when NASCAR released a relieving statement that indicated Newman had avoided life-threatening injury.
Still, Newman’s health remained a serious concern.
Feb. 18: Newman still at hospital but improving
Roush Fenway Racing released a picture of Newman in a hospital gown, arms around his children, with an accompanying statement saying Newman “continues to show great improvement.”
Feb. 19, 2:43 p.m. ET: Newman walks out of hospital with his daughters
Newman managed to leave the hospital under his own power with his daughters the Wednesday after his crash.
March 11: Newman opens up about crash, announces intention to make comeback
Less than a month after the Daytona 500, Newman expressed eagerness to return to the track and discussed his perspective of the crash that threatened serious harm.
“I just feel so lucky, on so many levels, I feel so lucky,” Newman said on the “Today” show. “Like, you look at the crash and think that’s spectacular in a bad way. But you look at the car afterwards, you think about all the things that happened right for me to be sitting here.”
“Just a miracle on so many levels.” It’s been less than a month since NASCAR driver @RyanJNewman survived a frightening wreck on the final lap of the Daytona 500.
Ryan joined us for his first interview since that crash. pic.twitter.com/GBxsCJqGlF
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 11, 2020
May 17: Newman completes his return at the Real Heroes 400
Newman raced and finished in 15th place at Darlington this past Sunday in the Real Heroes 400, receiving an outpouring of support for his return from fans.
He is now set to compete in the Toyota 500 on Wednesday, though weather is expected to challenge the race’s start time.
