Newman wins at New Smyrna

[Schwartz Fan]

Newman Owned: Ryan Newman Schools Ted Christopher For New Smyrna Modified Win
By Shawn Courchesne


NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. - When Sprint Cup Series regular Ryan Newman made his Whelen Modified Tour debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last September he spent much of the New Hampshire battling with Ted Christopher at the front of the field.

Monday night they got re-acquainted with each other again at the front of the field in a Modified race, and it was quite the spirited battle.

In New Hamsphire last year it was Christopher besting Newman. Monday Newman got his revenge.

Newman held off Christopher over the final 10 laps to win the 25-lap Tour Type Modified feature Monday at New Smyrna Speedway.

It was the first Modified victory in the racing career of the South Bend, Ind. native.

Newman, who was driving a car co-owned by Sprint Cup Series crew chief Kevin Manion and Sprint Cup Series car chief Gary Putnam, started seventh and moved past Kevin Goodale on lap 8 into second place behind Christopher.

On lap 15 restart Newman went by Christopher for the lead using the high lane off of turn 2. The caution flew again on lap 18 and Christopher capitalized on the restart lap, retaking the lead with a move into turn 3.

But Newman sized up the situation for a few laps and then pounced, going under Christopher to take the lead for good off of turn 4 on lap 22.

"I've got to thank [Christopher] for racing me clean," Newman said. "I tried my best to race him clean. I feel like he's one of the best out there and to beat him my first time here, that's a feather in my team's] hat. They did a great job preparing a great car."

Christopher held on for second and Eric Goodale of Riverhead, N.Y. was third.

Newman Owned: Ryan Newman Schools Ted Christopher For New Smyrna Modified Win - Shawn Courchesne | Auto Racing