The driver wants to return to Victory Lane tonight in All-Star event.
By Associated Press
Published May 22, 2004
CONCORD, N.C. - For Ryan Newman, losing races is working out pretty well so far this season.
He's sixth in Nextel Cup points after 11 events, an improvement of 21 spots compared with this stage last season. He trails leader Dale Earnhardt Jr. by 201 heading into tonight's Nextel All-Star Challenge, all without any victories in 2004.
"I'm pleased we're doing better, but I wouldn't say we're satisfied," Newman said Friday. "I wish we had been to Victory Lane."
He continued his solid season by qualifying second for the all-star event, ending up just behind teammate Rusty Wallace later Friday. Wallace finished three laps and a pit stop with an average speed of 130.647 mph. Drivers had a minimum speed of 45 on the entry into the pits, with no limit on the exit, and eight of the 22 drivers were caught speeding on their stops.
Defending Nextel Cup champ Matt Kenseth was third, followed by Mark Martin and Tony Stewart.
Dave Blaney won the pole for today's Nextel Open with a single lap of 185.058 mph. The winner of the Open - plus another driver voted by the fans - advance to the All-Star Challenge.
Newman had a series-high eight victories a year ago, including six during an amazing 13-race run through the summer. But he also failed to finish seven races, and that lack of consistency left him 311 points behind Kenseth.
Five of those DNF's came in the first half of the season, making a better start imperative for Newman and his Penske Racing South team.
"On a weekly basis, we're still here to win races," crew chief Matt Borland said. "But we're trying not to take unnecessary risks and do things that made us fall out of races last year."
Newman still is plenty fast - his three poles are tied with rookie Kasey Kahne for most in the series - and the only blemish is an accident at Texas Motor Speedway.
He admits to being more conservative, making sure he has clearance before any pass: "I think about it a little bit more. Just trying to keep out of the wrong place at the wrong time. But sometimes, you can't help it. You get caught up in somebody else's problems."
He's been close to a couple of victories, and he joins Earnhardt, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon as the only drivers to lead at least one lap in eight races this season.
Newman has four top-fives, including a best of third at Darlington.
"Everybody keeps talking about how we're struggling this year because we don't have any wins yet," Borland said. "Well, we had only one win at this point last year. And we're still running good every week. We'll be fine."
