Newman calls Little 500 a “big deal”
NASCAR star Ryan Newman is looking to make his third start in the Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by the Ed Martin Automotive Group.
“We love sprint cars,” he said. “Anderson is significant to the pavement sprint car world, like Knoxville (Iowa) to dirt track racing.”
Newman said he witnessed his first Little 500 in 1986 and has been a fan of the race before he first raced at Anderson Speedway in 2022.
“It’s the Little 500 at Anderson,” he said. “It’s a really big deal. I would rather race the Little 500 than the Indianapolis 500. This is a really big deal for me.
“We’re here to win,” Newman said. “I’ve been fortunate to race a lot of different race cars at different tracks.”
He has made two previous starts finishing 11th in 2022 after starting eighth and coming home sixth a year ago after rolling off 12th.
In the two races Newman has completed 991 of the 1,000 laps. The team with sponsorship help from the Ed Martin Auto Group is getting help from nine-time Little 500 champion Eric Gordon.
“Racing in the Little 500 is like being a drummer in a band,” Newman said. “You need to have a rhythm. The racing is intense and the track has a lot of character.”
He said a key is not to make a mistake at the start of the race and end the team’s effort early.
“The pace is off a little at the start as everyone settles in,” Newman said. “The first time you brake, you’re not sure how the car will react.”
Newman said he won an Emge 50 race at Anderson Speedway 25 years ago and likes to compete against his friends. He said Indiana has always been about open wheel racing, unlike the southern U.S. that is stock car country.
“People need to experience the race in person and get the opportunity to meet the drivers,” he said.
The 77th Annual Unified Group Services Little 500 will be held on Saturday, May 24th at 8:00pm. Tickets for the event are available now and are reserved seating only. All tickets are $45 and can be purchased online HERE or by calling Anderson Speedway Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm. Practice for teams begins on Wednesday, May 21st from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. CB Fabricating Pole Day is scheduled for Thursday, May 22nd from 11:30am – 3:30pm. Final practice and Bump Day is set for Friday, May 23rd from 11:30am to 3:30pm. Grandstand admission is free for fans Wednesday through Friday and race day tickets are reserved seating only.
