On the last edition of Thursday Night Thunder for 2023, Ryan Newman didn’t win the race, but he did win the championship. The NASCAR icon put together the most consistent six-week season among the SRX Series full-timers and came away with a championship of his own.
The season finale took place at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri. A little dirt track with a lot of history, NASCAR stars have won races and competed at the track for years. This time, SRX came through with Ryan Newman and the gang, but also some additions.
This race featured three great dirt racers in Jonathan Davenport, Clint Bowyer, and Kenny Wallace. They put on a show, too.
While Davenport took the checkered flag in his first start in SRX, Newman had the championship locked up after the first heat race.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be SRX champion here in 2023,” Newman said postrace. “Here at Lucas Oil Speedway, awesome dirt track race. To race against these guys, all the support we get from all the people, the sponsors, Camping World, South Point, Bass Pro Shops – everybody that’s involved that’s a part of this. The crew that works so hard six weeks in a row to repair the cars.
“Just to race against these guys, the best in the world is a whole lot of fun on pavement and dirt. It’s race tracks like here that I’ve never been to before. Honored to be a part of the series, just really special to be a champion, I wish my daughters were here. It’s a whole lot of fun and hope to do it again.”
This was a really impressive season for Ryan Newman in the SRX Series.
How Ryan Newman won the SRX Series championship
Ryan Newman scored a win at Stafford Speedway this season. He also had two heat wins. By the time it was said and done, Newman won the title by 46 points. So, you can bet he’ll be back next year to defend his championship.
By the time the season finale came along, Newman was already up 40 points on Tony Stewart. Smoke was the only driver capable of catching Newman in the standings, and had to have an excellent night in Missouri to do it.
However, after spinning and struggling to find traction in the Heat 1 event to start the night, Stewart fell too far back. Things didn’t improve. While he won at Eldora a week ago, it was night and day difference for Stewart this Thursday in the Show Me State. Despite leading the series in Heat wins, it wasn’t enough.
Ryan Newman had this one wrapped up early. Then we got to watch Jonathan Davenport put on a show along with Clint Bowyer who had fans online and in the stands losing their minds.
By the time it was said and done, Marco Andretti and Brad Keselowski passed Tony Stewart in the standings. Season 3 of the SRX Series is in the books. Until next year.
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