Newman confirms Daytona 500 crash gave him head injury

Ryan Newman crash

NASCAR star Ryan Newman, in a statement released Sunday, acknowledged that he suffered a head injury (likely a concussion) from crashing on the final lap of the Daytona 500, but looks forward to getting behind the wheel again.

Newman was hospitalized Monday night in what Roush Fenway Racing officials called serious but not life-threatening condition.

He walked out of the Daytona Beach hospital roughly 42 hours after the crash, appearing unscathed.

Roush gave its first detailed account of the ordeal. The crash sent him hard into a wall before he was hit in the driver-side door by another car and became trapped in his upside-down Ford on fire as rescue workers tried to free him.

During a news conference before Sunday’s race, Roush team president Steve Newmark read a statement from Newman, who revealed he had sustained a head injury but no internal injuries.

"I was fortunate to avoid any internal organ damage or broken bones. I did sustain a head injury for which I'm currently being treated," Newman wrote. "The doctors have been pleased with my progression over the last few days."