RYAN NEWMAN
#12 Alltel Dodge Charger

Birthdate: December 8, 1977
Birthplace: South Bend, Indiana
Residence: Sherrills Ford, North Carolina

For Ryan Newman, 2008 signals the Indiana native’s ninth year with Penske Racing. After barely missing the Race for the Chase in 2007 (he finished 13th—one spot out of the final position), Newman is confident he and his #12 Alltel Dodge Charger are primed for a championship run in 2008.

After winning the USAC Rookie of the Year award in 1996, Newman scored three wins in five starts in the ARCA series the following year, which earned him a promotion to the NASCAR Cup series in 2001. He finished seventh overall in 2004 and qualified for The Chase in 2005. In 2006, he led all Cup drivers by posting victories in seven NASCAR events.