Feb 17, 2020; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Newman (6) wrecks during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

NASCAR driver Ryan Newman awake and speaking to doctors after ugly Daytona 500 crash

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 2/18/20

NASCAR and the larger sports world were on pins and needles Monday night after veteran driver Ryan Newman was involved in one of the ugliest accidents we have ever seen.

It came on the final turn of the final lap of the Daytona 500 with Newman leading his competition. He crashed into the wall and flipped before being hit by another car on the driver side. Then Newman’s car caught fire.

As Newman was pulled from the vehicle, the scene from Daytona International Speedway was somber.

Later in the evening, updates came indicating that Newman was in serious condition with non life-threatening injuries.

We now have better news on this front. Roush Fenway Racing released a statement Tuesday afternoon indicating that Newman was awake and speaking to both doctors and his family at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach.

Update on Ryan Newman: pic.twitter.com/TdJHDZ3O7O
— Roush Fenway (@roushfenway) February 18, 2020

Given the severity of the crash, we could not ask for better news on this front. For many, it brought back memories of the accident that killed NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt at the same Daytona 500 race in 2001.

This is tremendous news.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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