The Rocket Man is taking on a new challenge. Ryan Newman will attempt to qualify for his first zMAX CARS Tour race.
According to an entry list provided by FloRacing, the former Daytona 500 winner will join Matt Piercy Racing this weekend at Orange County Speedway in North Carolina. He will drive the No. 7 entry while trying to qualify for the 28-car field.
Newman will not have a guaranteed spot in the field, and there is a chance that he misses the race. The entry list features 32 drivers, meaning that four will fail to make the Late Model Stock Car event.
The 18-time Cup Series winner is no stranger to the North Carolina short track. He has competed there while competing in the SMART Modified Tour. In fact, Newman won a race at Orange County Speedway on April 5 after starting from the pole position.
Newman, one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers, has not competed full-time in the Cup Series since the 2021 season. He has continued to achieve success across the country while suiting up for multiple series.
Some of these starts took place in the now-defunct Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) Series. Newman competed full-time during the 2022 season, and he finished second in the championship standings behind Marco Andretti. He scored a win at Stafford Motor Speedway and stockpiled points in the rest of the season's races.
Newman will not be the only driver on the zMAX CARS Tour entry list with NASCAR experience. Two other drivers competing this weekend at Orange County Speedway are Craftsman Truck Series regulars.
Front Row Motorsports driver Layne Riggs will take over the No. 17 entry for Tom Usry Racing. Niece Motorsports driver Kaden Honeycutt will drive for Hettinger Racing in the Late Model Stock Car event. He will drive for Bryson Lopez Racing in the Pro Late Model event.
Honeycutt won the CARS Tour Pro Late Model championship last season while driving for Bryson Lopez Racing.