Ryan Newman to join Roush Fenway Racing (Update)

Ryan Newman to drive #6

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. Roush Fenway Racing announced today that veteran NASCAR driver Ryan Newman will take the reins of its iconic No. 6 Ford Mustang, competing full-time for Jack Roush in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2019. During his celebrated career, Newman has accumulated 18 victories, 51 poles, 112 top-fives and 246 top-10 finishes competing at NASCAR’s highest level.

“I am excited about getting behind the wheel of the No. 6 car and working with Jack Roush and everyone at Roush Fenway Racing," said Newman, who holds an engineering degree from Purdue University.

“I’ve always respected what Jack Roush has brought to the sport," added Newman. “I can remember some intense battles with the No. 6 back when Mark Martin was in the car. There is a lot of history there and I am excited about getting behind the wheel of the No. 6 Mustang to compete for wins and the playoffs next year."

“I’m pleased to announce that Ryan Newman will be joining our team as the new driver of the No. 6 Ford," said team co-owner Jack Roush, a 2019 inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “Ryan’s accomplishments and achievements speak for themselves. He is a fierce competitor and one of the top drivers in NASCAR."

Newman, a native of South Bend, Indiana, becomes the sixth driver to pilot the No. 6 for Roush, who launched his NASCAR team with fellow Hall of Famer Mark Martin behind the wheel of the No. 6 in 1988. Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne and future Hall of Famer and NASCAR Cup Champion Matt Kenseth most recently piloted the No. 6, sharing the ride for the 2018 season. The No. 6 Ford has visited victory lane 36 times, captured 41 poles and led over 11,400 laps under the Roush Fenway umbrella.

Newman has led over 4,800 laps and his 51 poles are the ninth most in NASCAR history. He was named the Cup Series rookie of the year in 2002 and won the 2008 Daytona 500 and the 2013 Brickyard 400. He has finished inside the top 10 of the final Cup standings on seven occasions; including a second-place finish in 2014. He has qualified for the NASCAR Cup playoffs on eight different occasions since its inception in 2004 and he was named NASCAR Driver of the Year in 2003.

09/22/18 Roush Fenway Racing will hire Ryan Newman to drive the car currently shared by Trevor Bayne and Matt Kenseth, according to a source familiar with the deal.

Roush Fenway Racing has scheduled a driver announcement for 3 p.m. ET Saturday.

"Thirty-five years into my racing career, I feel like I'm as good as I've ever been, if not better," Newman said Sept. 15. "I've been really close before and my ultimate goal is to win a Cup championship.

"I don't want to quit. I don't want to retire. I've got the blessing of my wife and kids to pursue my goal, and not everybody gets that. I look forward to pursuing that goal."

Motorsports website Frontstretch and the Sports Business Journal both reported the pending Roush Fenway announcement Friday afternoon and the reports were confirmed by ESPN.