Ryan Newman earns first top-five finish since 2017

Ryan Newman’s fifth-place finish in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 Sunday (July 7) netted the Roush Fenway Racing driver his first top-five finish in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in nearly two seasons.

Newman earned his third top-10 finish in the last four Cup Series races with his fifth-place showing at Daytona International Speedway. It was the 41-year-old driver’s highest finish in the series since a runner-up result at Talladega in October 2017, 59 points-awarding races ago.

Through 18 races this season, Newman has earned six total top-10 finishes, led one lap and has finished on the lead lap 13 times.

With eight races before the grid is set for the NASCAR Playoffs, Newman holds the 16th and final playoff spot by three points over Daniel Suarez.

If Newman can make the playoffs this year, it will be his first playoff berth since 2017 and the ninth of his career.

The next race for the MENCS will be Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway for the Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart.

Newman will be entering Kentucky on a 86-race losing streak.

The Roush Fenway Racing driver’s last win the Cup Series was his 18th career victory at ISM Raceway in March of 2017.