rpm.espn.com: Future promising for Newman

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Friday, January 25
Future promising for Newman
ESPN.com

We asked our users how good they thought Newman will be in 2002 and what the future holds for this young star. Here are some of the comments:

I've been a fan of open wheel racing for over 50 years, and I think Ryan Newman will be as successful in Winston Cup as Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. Let's face it, if it wasn't for the open wheel drivers, they're would be pretty slim pickins for new talented drivers in Winston Cup.

Frank Figora
Lakeland, Fla.

Ryan Newman and his family is a friend of mine. I've watched Ryan from a good spot on the track, from the flag stand. His open wheel experience will help him out in NASCAR. This young man has the talent to go places were he wants to. He thinks about his moves and if he starts to have problems, his family is always there for him. This family is as close as you'll ever see. Ryan's racing career in NASCAR will be for a long time because he listens to people and uses his talent to prove he belongs. I feel Ryan will win two poles, one race, finish 14th in points and win Rookie of the Year.

Dan Carter
Glendale, Ariz.

I think Ryan will do well. It takes a season to get going though although he does have a couple of races under his belt. He has come up through the midget ranks and he has done well there. He is sitting in a good equipment. If not this year he will be excellent next year.

Tyler Shoemaker
Bloomington, Ill.

I think he needs to get some experience before he tries to run with the big boys. Mayfield should have stayed in the car. Penske will regret not keeping Mayfield.

Bob Stetson
Tampa, Fla.

I think Ryan will finish in the top-five in points and will be better than Tony Stewart's rookie year. I think he will win four races in 2002. It has been proven that open wheel racers adjust quickly to NASCAR racing.

Michael Pierce
Princeton, Wisc.

Ryan will win a couple of races this year but it won't all be rosy. Having known Ryan for a while, he has the personality to overcome bad races and follow them up with a vengeance.

Dave Cowing
Jackson, Mich.

The first half of the season may be tough. But when they come back to the tracks he has ran on before look for him to win a couple of races.

Fred Zirzow
Greenfield, Wisc.

Ryan Newman is awesome. What can say more than that? The kid can drive fast. He scored the most poles in the Busch series, and only entered 15 races. He has a wealth of talent behind him in the Penske organization, and a teammate in Rusty Wallace who will really help his continued maturation process in full-bodied stock cars. The one question I did have of Ryan was can he finish what he starts? After crashes at Charlotte and Indianapolis last year after starting at the front, I questioned if he was prepared for the long grueling 500 mile races that the Winston Cup series stages. But his second place finish at Kansas changed that. Ryan Newman is the real deal!

Matt Demey
Harrisburg, Pa.

I think Ryan Newman will do OK if he keeps calm and doesn't get too cocky. He proved last year that he is a good driver, but he seems a bit out of control to me and that is a bit scary. Just stay away from the veterans or you'll end up in the wall!

Carol E. Comtois
Collegeville, Pa.

Ryan will do fine in 2002 and I do expect him to win Rookie of The Year. Like all young cup drivers, I also expect Ryan to be behind the wall a few times before the checkered flag flies. A solid top 15 season.

Tom Flynn
Black Diamond, Wa.

I think Ryan will do a great job this year. I think if he can remember to be patient and use his head he will achieve wonderful things. I wouldn't be surprised to see him win at least one race. If he adapts as quickly in Cup as he did in the Busch Series it might even be possible to see him on the stage in New York at the end of the season. I think he has the potential to finish at least as high in the points as Harvick did in 2001.

Christy Fetterman
Quinby, Va.

I have been watching Ryan for several years in USAC, and he is an incredible talent. I feel Ryan will not only win several poles, but will also get a win or two along the way. I also thing the rookie battle with him and Jimmie (Johnson) will be a great one to watch. Ryan should get the advantage in the end for Rookie of the Year.

Cale Shonk
Paris, Ill.

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