NASCAR star Ryan Newman has been released from the hospital less than 48 hours after he suffered serious injuries in a fiery crash during the final lap of Daytona 500.
Ryan Newman Released From Hospital
“Ryan Newman has been treated and released from Halifax Medical Center,” tweeted Roush Fenway, Newman’s racing team. The update included a photo of the No. 6 driver walking out of the hospital holding hands with his two young daughters.
Ryan Newman has been treated and released from Halifax Medical Center pic.twitter.com/J0twhGgQm7
— Roush Fenway (@roushfenway) February 19, 2020
This came hours after Roush Fenway Racing released a statement in which they said Newman was showing “great improvement” and walking around the hospital.
“The veteran driver is fully alert and walking around Halifax Medical Center. True to his jovial nature, he has also been joking with staff, friends and family while spending time playing with his two daughters,” the statement read, according to WESH2.
Ryan Newman Continues Great Improvement pic.twitter.com/xIZRiaRApi
— Roush Fenway (@roushfenway) February 19, 2020
Newman’s Crash Rocked NASCAR Community
NASCAR fans feared the worst when Newman, 42, crashed while in the lead during the final lap of the Daytona 500 on Monday night. Friends, family, and fans watched in horror as Newman’s car flipped, rolled, and was hit on the driver’s side by another vehicle before skidding across the finish line upside down.
RELATED: Ryan Newman’s Wife Reacts To His Daytona Crash Just Days After The Couple Separates
Still waiting for an update on Ryan Newman’s health after this terrifying wreck on the final lap of the #Daytona500 pic.twitter.com/dxy33mMbo6
— Daren Stoltzfus (@DarenStoltzfus) February 18, 2020
First responders rushed the “Rocket Man” to Halifax Health for treatment. While fans anxiously waited for hours to hear the racer’s status. Finally, two hours later, there was a collective sigh of relief.
NASCAR officials read a statement from Roush Fenway Racing confirming that Ryan Newman was going to make it.
“Safety has come a long way in this sport,” four-time NASCAR champion and Fox NASCAR announcer Jeff Gordon said Monday night. “But sometimes we are reminded that it is a very dangerous sport.”
Everyone breathing a bit easier at Daytona Internarional Speedway. Hard to see but it looks like that FedEx team finally getting a chance to celebrate their second straight #Daytona500 win
Waited until they had information about Ryan Newman’s health #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/xbL3jtTwcF
— Daren Stoltzfus (@DarenStoltzfus) February 18, 2020
Ties To Dale Earnhardt’s Legacy
Ryan Newman’s crash happened almost 19 years to the day after NASCAR lost racing legend Dale Earnhardt. The No. 6 Ford Mustang crashed and burned on that very same final lap. It was horrifying to watch and seemed like the accident could be fatal.
RELATED: How Dale Earnhardt Saved NASCAR’s Ryan Newman 19 Years Later
I wonder if NASCAR fans will refer to the Rocket Man as the Miracle Man after his shockingly fast recovery.
We couldn’t be more thrilled for the racer and his family. America is behind you Ryan Newman.