By Agence France-Presse
Veteran US stock car driver Ryan Newman was awake and speaking with doctors and family members on Tuesday, a day after a horrifying crash at the Daytona 500 auto race.
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, wins over Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Peak Ford, as Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Koch Industries Ford, crashes and flips behind them during the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images / AFP)
Roush Fenway Racing updated the condition of the 42-year-old American, whose Ford Mustang had been leading on the final lap but spun out of control, struck the wall and went flying into the air before flipping onto its roof and bursting into flames.
Several ambulances raced to the scene of the wreck by the 2008 Daytona 500 winner, who was extracted from the car and taken to a nearby hospital in serious condition with injuries that Roush Racing officials said were not life-threatening.
Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Koch Industries Ford, stands on the grid prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Chris Graythen / Getty Images / AFP)
"Ryan Newman remains under the care of doctors at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. He is awake and speaking with family and doctors," Roush Fenway Racing said in a statement.
"Ryan and his family have expressed their appreciation for the concern and heartfelt messages from across the country. They are grateful for the unwavering support of the NASCAR community and beyond."