When NASCAR star Ryan Newman tasted the speeds of IndyCar

Former NASCAR driver Ryan Newman test-drove an IndyCar in the late 1990s. Newman drove in the USAC Silver Crown for the 1998 championship. Panther Racing and Pennzoil organized the Indy Racing League (now IndyCar) test. Newman spoke with the Tribune and revealed that stock car racing was still his aim despite the IndyCar test.

Newman said,

“We really didn't know what to expect but the cars were amazing. The closest I have ever come to racing at those speeds was driving a Silver Crown car on a paved mile like Phoenix or Pike’s Peak. But that was going to be about 160 and a handful to control.”

“It really was a lot of fun. We had the same setup that Scott Goodyear used to go 228 miles per hour during qualifying for Texas. All we had to do to get through our rookie test was go 213, so I wasn't pushing it.”

Pennzoil and Panther Racing conducted the test for the champions of the USAC Silver Crown, Sprint, and Midget series. Jason Leffler and Brian Tyler finished as the winner and runner-up of the Silver Crown championship respectively with Newman finishing 3rd. However, both Leffler and Tyler already owned an IRL license.

In such a scenario, the test was given to the next driver in the championship without a license, which in this case was Newman. The test happened on December 3, 1998, at the Texas Motor Speedway. Newman was accompanied by Jay Drake from the Midget series and Sprint series champion Tony Elliott.

Ryan Newman set the fastest lap time of the test with an average speed of 213.36 miles per hour. While he was thankful for his opportunity, he had his eyes set on the stock car racing world.

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“Goal is still to get into NASCAR” - Ryan Newman after IndyCar test

Ryan Newman got his NASCAR Cup Series breakthrough in 2000 when he participated in a single race weekend with Team Penske. However, it wasn't until 2002 that the American would have a full-time seat. Newman had his eyes set on stock car racing despite the IndyCar test as he hoped for a NASCAR drive for the 1999 season.

Ryan Newman NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 - Source: Getty

Newman said in the aforementioned interview,

“My feelings haven't changed. My goal is still to get into NASCAR racing. The test gave me a taste of IRL racing (now IndyCar) and some great experience, but I'm not actively looking for a ride right now. I'm still hoping for a Busch or Craftsman Truck ride for 1999.”

“I really appreciate the opportunity that IRL and Panther Racing gave me. It was a great experience. But for now, I'm still looking at NASCAR,” he added.

Newman retired from the Cup Series at the end of the 2021 season and made appearances as a part-timer in 2023. The 2014 season was the highlight year of the American’s career as he finished runner-up in the championship driving for Richard Childress Racing. Ryan Newman ended his career with 18 wins and 268 Top 10 finishes.