Ryan Newmanis on the road to recovery following his terrifying crash at theDaytona 500.
On Wednesday, just a week after he wasreleased from the hospital, the NASCAR star, 42, was greeted with cheers as he made an appearance at his team shop in Concord, North Carolina.
Newman — dressed casually in a plaid jacket, dark jeans and cap — can be seen addressing Roush Fenway Racing staffers in several candid shots.
In another picture, the driver appears to be in good spirits as he gives a thumbs up to the camera.
“I did sustain a head injury for which I’m currently being treated. The doctors have been pleased with my progression over the last few days,” continued Newman in the statement, which Newmark read ahead of a race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Newman thanked “everyone involved in my care, especially the staff at Halifax Medical Center,” saying the “trained professionals” at the hospital “played a major role in where I’m sitting today.”
“I hope you took pride in the photograph of mewalking out of the hospital hand-in-hand with my daughterson Wednesday,” Newman shared, referencing a sweet photo his team had previously tweeted. “Thank you. I can’t wait to get back in your race car.”
Ryan Newman.Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
In the statement, the professional racer also said he has since “spoken with [Roush Fenway Racing founder, CEO and co-owner] Jack Roush and he has assured me that the No. 6 car will be waiting and ready for my return,” concluding, “I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel and battling for another race win in the Roush Fenway Ford.”
A driver hasn’t died in a NASCAR race sinceDale Earnhardt at the Daytona 500 in 2001.
Since Earnhardt’s death 19 years ago at the age of 49, the racing league has taken steps to increase driver safety — including enforcing helmet rules and creatingimproved barriers around the trackto absorb more impact safely.
source: people.com
