This Week’s Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Bristol Motor Speedway
Ryan Newman will make his 607th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start when we return to the World’s Fastest Half-Mile. In 33 MENCS events at Bristol Motor Speedway, Newman owns three pole awards including the spring races in 2003 and 2004 as well as the fall event in 2011. He has earned two top-five and 18 top-10 finishes. His best result of second place came on August 28, 2004. The South Bend, Indiana, native has an average start of 11.9 and average finish of 15.8. He’s led a total of 122 laps in competition. And in the Xfinity Series, he owns one pole (fall 2006) and a 2005 victory in the fall race. In the last 10 events at BMS, Newman ranks fourth in most championship driver points earned.
Huntin’, Fishin’ And Lovin’ Every Day … Newman, an avid outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman and conservationist will have Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s on board the No. 31 Camaro ZL1 for select races in 2018 including this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”
Back in June during the off-weekend, Newman and his family visited the Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort in the Ozarks. It’s owned by Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. Read More!
Meet Newman … On Thursday, Newman is scheduled to make appearances in the Bristol area with teammate Austin Dillon. First, he’ll sign autographs for fans at Bass Pro Shops in Bristol, Tennessee. It will begin at 12 p.m. local time. Then at 3 p.m., Newman and Dillon are scheduled to stop by the Food City Family Race Night to sign more autographs for fans at the track. Fans are encouraged to stop by the BMS Hospitality Village on Thursday at 10 a.m.
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
Bristol is where the nickname Rocket Man started. How did it happen?
“I believe it all started in 2003 when I won a bunch of poles. When I won the pole at Bristol, I ran a 14.91. I’m not sure if it was Larry Mac or Mike Joy, or who it was but I think one of them said on T.V. that I rocketed off of the corner. I think that was kind of when Rocket Man started.”
You continue to fight your way into Playoff contention. What will it take with three races to go?
“We definitely cannot point our way in. I’ve always thought that strategy was just biding time because you need to win to get in and you need to win in the Playoffs to have a real legitimate shot at the championship. The history of championships over the last four, five years prove that the champions are winners before and during the Playoffs heading into Championship Weekend. You can’t just be a top-five car or a top-10 car and get yourself in on points. We did that in 2014 and came up short by one point. We didn’t win. It’s all about being the one in Victory Lane to ultimately have a shot at the championship.”