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Ryan Newman (photo from NASCAR Media)
Kyle Busch has run three races in the same weekend a few times, competing in the Sprint Cup Series, the Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series on the same weekend when all three or at least two of the three are at the same track.
If things go according to planned, Ryan Newman will one-up Busch with NASCAR’s top-three touring divisions visit Bristol Motor Speedway next month. In addition to running those three races, he also plans to race in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series race, also to be held at Bristol the same week.
One of the cars Newman will be piloting that week will be the No. 5 Nationwide Series entry of JR Motorsports. Scott Wimmer was originally scheduled to race the No. 5 in the Bristol Nationwide race, but changes were made to the schedule so that Newman could attempt the four-race week.
“Luckily, Scott Wimmer, Fastenal and JR Motorsports, were willing to trade races so that I could drive the No. 5 car at Bristol, and I really appreciate that,” Newman said. “They have given me an incredible opportunity and I can’t thank them enough. Hopefully, I can get a win for them in the Nationwide race on Saturday at Bristol as a way to thank them.”
Newman’s schedule will look something like this:
Wednesday, Aug. 19 – Modified race and Truck race
Friday, Aug. 21 – Nationwide Series race
Saturday, Aug. 22 – Sprint Cup Series race.
If Newman completes every lap in each of these races, he stands to run 1,100 laps at Bristol, a track with a reputation for being physically draining for drivers after just one race. That’s 586 miles and possibly more than seven hours of seat time at Bristol.
“It is going to be a challenge to compete in all four races, but I am really looking forward to it. It’s a lot of miles, a lot of laps,” Newman said. “I have done the Nationwide and Cup races on the back-to-back nights in August before, and that can be difficult. Throw in the Truck and the Modified race on Wednesday, and it’s like I am running a second Cup race there. So, I know it is not going to be easy."
If this fete is completed by Newman, it will mark the first time that anyone has ever completed four races in a week at the Tennessee track.
“It’s an honor to be the first NASCAR driver to run in all four Series in one weekend,” he said. “Being the first to do this wasn’t really my goal when I decided that I wanted to compete in all the races at Bristol, but it is pretty cool to have that recognition. For me, it’s just about racing and having a good time and hopefully having some really good finishes along the way.”
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