As a teenager growing up in South Bend, Indiana, Ryan Newman was a star racer.
He won more than 100 Quarter-Midget features, earned two Midget championships, and was named United States Auto Club (USAC) Midget Series Rookie of the Year in 1995.
He also won races in the Silver Crown and Sprint Car divisions of the USAC, and by 1999 he was named the Silver Crown Series champion.
After graduating high school, he earned an engineering degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Source: Motor Racing Network, WFTV
When Newman entered the NASCAR scene in 2002, he was quickly nicknamed "Rocket Man" thanks to a number of first-season pole positions — the spot given to the driver with the best qualifying time in trials.
He was 22 at the time, and set a rookie record with six pole wins.
Source: WFTV
He's also in his second season with Roush Fenway Racing, after five years with Richard Childress Racing.
Source: NASCAR
Newman has two young daughters, named Brooklyn and Ashlyn. They're regularly seen at his racing events.
Newman and Krissie launched Rescue Ranch in 2012 on 87 acres in Statesville, North Carolina.
The animal welfare organization "promotes humane education by focusing on rescuing on a fundamental level through hands-on learning and care for animals," according to its website.
The ranch hopes to expand to create nature walks, education trails, a 24-hour emergency veterinarian clinic, and a rescue foster and adoption program.
Source: Rescue Ranch
Days before Monday's crash, Newman and his wife, Krissie, announced they were separating after 16 years of marriage.
The couple made the announcement last Thursday, just days before Newman's crash.
They described the split as amicable, saying they would still co-parent their daughters and continue their work at their nonprofit.
Krissie was not in Daytona when Newman was injured in the crash, but said hours before it started that she was "praying for a safe race."
Source: Business Insider
Over Newman's nearly 20 years in NASCAR, he's earned 18 Cup wins and 51 Cup poles — the top qualifying race position. Among his 18 Cup wins are the 2008 Daytona 500 and 2013 Brickyard 400.
His best Cup Championship finish was in 2014, when he placed 2nd.
In 2002, he beat out Jimmie Johnson to earn the title of Sunoco Rookie of the year.
His full career stats are listed here.
Source: NASCAR, Motor Racing Network
Newman was taken to Halifax Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries on Monday night, said NASCAR executive Steve O'Donnell after the incident.
"We appreciate your thoughts and prayers and ask that you respect the privacy of Ryan and his family at this time," O'Donnell said.
A statement published on Newman's Twitter said that updates would be released as they became available.
Both President Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg expressed their support.
Source: Business Insider
Praying for Ryan Newman, a great and brave @NASCAR driver! #PrayingForRyan
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 18, 2020Praying for a son of South Bend tonight, as we all wish the best for @RyanJNewman and his family after today’s devastating accident. https://t.co/SCEMih5H8Y
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 18, 2020
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