General Discussion » Can Tony Jr do for Brad what he couldn't do for Dale?
There weren't that many bad calls on timing and pitstops.
Newman: Performance will make or break his contract decision with Penske
By SceneDaily Staff
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Ryan Newman celebrates his win in the Daytona 500. Since then, the Penske Racing team's performance has dropped off.
Nick Laham
Getty Images
Ryan Newman, who has won 13 races in his nearly seven-year NASCAR Cup career, says he will need to see improved performance before he will sign a contract extension to continue driving with Penske Racing.
Newman won the Daytona 500 earlier this year, the first Daytona 500 win for the team owned by Roger Penske, but he has had only four top-10 finishes since and sits 17th in points.
“I have an offer, but I told Roger that I’m not in a position to fulfill that yet, depending on our performance,” Newman said while meeting with media in the Daytona area on Tuesday. “The performance of our team and his organization will make or break my position. [Penske] understands the ball’s in my court and why I have that feeling or that mood or that idea. It’s because of our lack of performance.
“There’s opportunities out there, but I have a lot of respect and a lot of loyalty for Roger for what he’s done for me and my career.”
Newman, who has three seasons where he has finished sixth in points, has only two wins since 2005.
“My goal is to be the best driver I can be and get the best results I can be, wherever that is – whether that is Penske Racing or any other place,” said Newman, whose entire Cup career has been spent with the team. “I have to be fair to myself and my long-term goals. Roger knows that. We’ve talked about that.”
They’ve probably talked about how Newman couldn’t build on the Daytona 500 victory.
“It gave us momentum,” Newman said. “That momentum has worn off since. And it’s been due to the fact that we haven’t been able to repeat the performance.”
A combination of unfortunate accidents and engine failures have stymied Newman this year. An engine failure last Sunday was a step in “a bad direction,” Newman said.
“You’ve got Kevin Harvick out there who just broke his own record for most non-DNFs, and we sit here already with two from an engine standpoint this year in 15 races,” Newman said. “It’s just a performance issue. There’s no excuse. If other guys aren’t doing it, then we shouldn’t either.
“We strive to be the best at everything, and we’re failing at that.”
Mentioned Drivers: Ryan Newman
Popular News
Recent Headlines
-
Brian Vickers, Scott Speed give Red Bull Racing front-row sweep at Chicagoland
Comments (10) -
Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn't blame media for slow start to season
Comments (3) -
Closing date on Memphis Motorsports Park sale extended to September
Post Comment -
Roush Fenway's Carl Edwards shoots to top of charts in final Nationwide practice
Comments (1) -
Joe Nemechek secures sponsor for his Nationwide, Cup teams
Comments (1)
Poll PositionView All
Was anyone at fault for the mayhem at the finish of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway?
Promotions
-
Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the Jeff Gordon Racing School.
-
Play our simulation racing fantasy game. Free with promo code "FREECRD".
Comments
2 responses to "Newman: Performance will make or break his contract decision with Penske". Post a Comment.
TxRaceGirl JFH said:
Jun 19, 2008 at 1:13 PMKudos to Ryan for doing what is best for his career. I know this was a hard call for him. There are many factors that have affected the outcome of races for that #12 team, internal reorganization, teammate changes,crew chief changes, manufactor changes,model changes and equipment failure. We've seen EVERY Dodge team struggle. I look forward to seeing Ryan in "competitive" equipment. Hopefully it will be "Chevy". One needs to look at Kurts performance. Kurt is just as talented. That says it's an organizational issue. Both Ryan and Kurt are great racers and top contenders when they have "competitive" equipment. I personally miss Ryan up there racing with Jimmie as they will race clean and give us a good side by side show. (Best Texas finish ever was Matt and Jimmie for those last 13 laps)- I love good hard CLEAN side by side racing. Good Luck Ryan..!!! TxRaceGirl_48_24_12
Rob Williams said:
Jun 19, 2008 at 7:12 PMMaybe he'll go to Gibbs when Tony leaves?