By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
Ryan Newman will return to the dirt at Eldora Speedway in the Eldora Dirt Derby for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Newman will join Jordan Anderson Racing for the event. This will be Newman’s first time hitting the dirt at Eldora since 2013. The announcement was made outside of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garage during the first week of organizational testing for the road course at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The veteran driver will be sponsored by VRX Simulators. This will be Newman’s seventh Truck start.
“It’s kind of going back home, it’s going back to dirt racing. I enjoy all of that,” Newman said. “Ultimately, it’s just a good experience, it’s a lot of fun. I’m glad NASCAR has put a Truck race on the dirt. Still look forward to a Cup race on dirt at some point. I don’t know if it will be next year or 10 years down the road, but I might come out of retirement at some point for that one.”
Anderson has been driving the No. 3 Truck for the majority of the season. Despite having unfinished business at Eldora, Anderson is excited to have Neman in the truck.
“I have a lot of redemption I want to get at Eldora, especially from 2016,” said Anderson. “But when Ryan and I got talking, and I really started thinking about it and what this meant for me as an owner [and] for Jordan Anderson as a team and for the guys who work for me and the sponsors that help us grow this team — the health of this team and how it does is good for everybody. So, the move to put Ryan in is one that was well thought out between everybody.”
Because he will not be driving the truck at Eldora, Anderson will be ineligible for the driver’s playoffs. However, the organization will still be eligible for the owner’s playoffs.