Ryan Joseph Newman (born December 8, 1977 in South Bend, Indiana) is a driver in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. He drives the #12 Alltel, Mobil Oil Dodge Charger for Penske Racing. It was apparent that racing would be his passion, as he twice made counterfeit passes that would allow him to enter Daytona International Speedway. He also is one of the few NASCAR racers with a college degree, graduating from Purdue University from 2001 with a bachelor of science in Vehicle Structure Enginnering.
In 2002, he was the Raybestos Rookie of the Year.
A fishing fanatic, he also enjoys spending his time working on vintage automobiles, particularly 1950's Chryslers.
