Ryan Newman Lowe’s Truck Race Preview
Submitted by Ryan Newman News and Information
On Friday, Newman will be reunited with Kevin Harvick Inc., driving the KHI All-Stars No. 4 Charter Chevrolet Silverado in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at LMS. Truck Series rookie and former Motocross star Ricky Carmichael, who has driven the No. 4 in each of the previous five races this season, is scheduled to return to the seat on June 5 at Texas Motor Speedway for the Winstar World Casino 400.
In his lone prior career NCWTS start, Newman piloted a KHI truck to victory last October at Atlanta Motor Speedway, a track very similar in size and layout to the 1.5-mile Lowe’s quad oval.
But the veteran insisted last year’s success didn’t create unrealistic expectations this time around.
“Winning my first race doesn’t put any additional pressure on me as the driver and it doesn’t give me any preconceived notions about what’s going to happen this week in Charlotte,” said Newman. “There is definitely some tough competition in the Truck Series. Throw in the fact that we are racing at Charlotte and I think the competition just got tougher. Everyone has an added desire to win. This is everybody’s backyard, everybody’s home track. I would love to come out of Charlotte on top.”
Of course, one advantage of racing in the NCWTS events is some additional seat time, something Newman values, even if the Cup and Truck Series vehicles are very unique.
“In my opinion, there aren’t a lot of similarities between the trucks and the Cup car,” said Newman. “They are totally different in the way we drive them. There are definitely some benefits in racing the other series because you learn what the grip is on the racetrack with that tire. You also have additional time to figure out the best entry and exit points in each corner. Overall, I think having the added seat time will benefit me in the All-Star Race on Saturday and next weekend in the Coca-Cola 600.”
Newman will have some additional firepower atop the pit box, this weekend as KHI has hired Truck Series veteran John Monsam as the new crew chief for the No. 4. This weekend, Monsam work alongside KHI Nationwide Series team crew chief Ernie Cope before taking over the crew chief duties full-time at Dover International Speedway on May 29.
With his move to KHI, Monsam also reunites with Ron Hornaday Jr. and Rick Carelli, as he has led both drivers to victories in Truck Series competition. Monsam guided Hornaday to victory lane in the 1997 NAPA 200 at Tucson Raceway Park and won with Carelli in the 2000 Kroger 200 at Richmond International Raceway.
