Soldiers Inspire Ryan Newman, NASCAR’s Best
September 25th, 2009 | 
Author: 
by Holly Cain
Filed under: Ryan Newman, Chase for the Sprint Cup
It was not the scars and burns, nor all the prosthetic limbs, or even the constant hum of machines dripping life into some patients that most struck Ryan Newman during a visit Thursday with injured soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
It was a far more simple concept that impacted the 2008 Daytona 500 winner most.
“The age of the people we visited is mind-boggling,” Newman said. “The average age of the soldier is way younger than you’d imagine.”
Eighteen, 19, 20 years old. … ages when Newman, 31, in a pre-Sept. 11 era was frantically working toward an engineering degree at Purdue University during the week, then barnstorming across the Midwest during the weekend racing sprint cars in preparation for what’s been a distinguished career in NASCAR.
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Category: Nextel Cup | 
Tags: 2008 Daytona 500, Army Medical Center, Burns, Chase, Daytona 500, Engineering Degree, Holly, Midwest, NASCAR, Prosthetic Limbs, Purdue University, Reed Army Medical Center, Ryan Newman, Scars, Sept 11, Soldier, Sprint Cars, Sprint Cup, Walter Reed Army, Walter Reed Army Medical Center | 