Ryan Newman has a new home for 2019.
Sources have confirmed to Frontstretch that he’ll be moving over to Roush Fenway Racing to drive the No. 6 car, replacing Trevor Bayne and Matt Kenseth.
It’s a three-year deal, though no sponsorship is confirmed at this time. Caterpillar, meanwhile, will reportedly stay at RCR.
Both Newman and representatives for RFR declined comment.
In a tweet following final practice at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend, Newman announced he would be leaving Richard Childress Racing following the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The move came after he and his No. 31 team missed the playoffs for the second time in five years together.
Newman, 40, has no top fives and just eight top-10 finishes through the opening 27 races this season. Currently, he ranks 17th in the championship standings with an average finish of 18th, his worst during his tenure with the organization.
ALBINO: NEWMAN TALKS TOUGH 2018 SEASON
The No. 31 car has been out front for 57 laps this season — a high in Newman’s time at RCR. But that wasn’t enough to convince him to sign another deal, as the team has struggled with the new Chevrolet Camaro body style.
The No. 6 team Newman will inherit currently sits 25th in owner points, jumping up four positions over the past month. Bayne’s 11th-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway is the best this season for the team, though Kenseth did win stage two at Indianapolis Motor Speedway two weeks ago.
There’s no word on the future of Kenseth with the organization after the veteran started splitting time with Bayne in May. Owner Jack Roush announced earlier this month Bayne will not be back with RFR next season.
About the author
Dustin joined the Frontstretch team at the beginning of the 2016 season. 2020 marks his sixth full-time season covering the sport that he grew up loving. His dream was to one day be a NASCAR journalist, thus why he attended Ithaca College (Class of 2018) to earn a journalism degree. Since the ripe age of four, he knew he wanted to be a storyteller.
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Hard up Roush hired Newman. Newman had no choice in leaving RCR. Childress said Newman was told a month ago he was being released. In other words, Newman was fired. He didn’t decide to not resign, he was fired, period. Same as Sadler.