Newman enters Rich Vogler Classic

INDIANAPOLIS – Former USAC Silver Crown champion Ryan Newman will return to USAC competition this Thursday during the USAC Silver Crown Series Rich Vogler/USAC Hall of Fame Classic at Lucas Oil Raceway.

Newman competed in last year’s race at Lucas Oil Raceway and finished third after starting on the front row.

Newman’s USAC career at the track includes five victories in midgets (1997-1999) and one in Silver Crown (1999). He was the 1999 USAC Silver Crown Series champion and three years earlier had been named the series Rookie of the Year. He has two series victories, the last coming in a 1999 race at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Ill.

Newman, a winner of 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, will pilot an entry for car owner Bowman/Armstrong Racing of Brownsburg, Ind., and will team with Tanner Swanson, the winner of five of USAC’s last six Silver Crown races at the .686-mile paved oval.

Thursday’s race salutes the career of the late Rich Vogler, who amassed more USAC victories than any driver in history. The event also includes USAC’s fifth Hall of Fame induction ceremonies honoring inductees Steve Butler, Russ Clendenen, Jimmy Davies, Willie Davis, Bob Higman, Tommy Hinnershitz, Dick King, Rick Mears, Pat O’Connor, Kevin Olson, Tony Stewart and Bob Tattersall. NSSN