Sprint Cup Series driver Ryan Newman celebrates after winning the Brickyard 400 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, July 28, 2013.INDIANAPOLIS – Ryan Newman fulfilled the childhood dream of so many who grew up in Indiana – winning at storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Newman, from South Bend, ended a 49-race losing streak with Sunday’s victory at the Brickyard, and he did it by beating Jimmie Johnson.
Again.
Newman set a NASCAR track record in knocking Johnson off the pole in qualifying, then used a fast final pit stop Sunday to snatch the win from the four-time Indianapolis winner.
The two were the class of the field – they combined to lead 118 of the 160 laps – but it was Johnson who dominated the race and appeared to be just a bit better. But Johnson pitted from the lead with 27 laps remaining and it was a slow final stop for the Hendrick Motorsports crew.