Ryan Newman had an unlucky tire issue halfway through Sunday afternoon’s 90-lap race at Watkins Glen, forcing him to settle with a 25th-place finish in his Acronis Ford Mustang.
He started the day in the same position, but worked his way inside the top-15 as strategy played out during the opening laps. After reporting tight conditions early on in the opening stage, Newman went on to finish 16th at the end of the 20-lap segment.
During the team’s first stop of the day an air gun issue forced the South Bend, Indiana, native to restart near the rear for stage two. Eight laps later when the caution flag flew, Newman was up to 20th still reporting he was tight. He lined up 17th for a four-lap shootout to the end of the stage and finished 14th after a yellow flag flew prior to the stage end.
After staying out under the break Newman restarted 13th. Seven laps later, he radioed a tire issue in what resulted in a right-front tire down. He was forced to hit pit road at lap 50 for four fresh tires, but drove through too many boxes exiting pit road forcing a pass through penalty.
Less than 10 laps later the caution flew allowing Newman to take the free pass, before pitting one final time at lap 64. After four more fresh tires and adjustments, Newman restarted 33rd before going on to cross the line 25th as the final 25 laps went caution free.
Newman and the No. 6 team return to the track next weekend at Michigan International Speedway. Race coverage on Sunday begins at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Coverage can also be heard on MRN and SiriusXM Channel 90.
RFR PR
