Ryan Newman Released From Hospital After Terrifying Daytona 500 Crash

Ryan Newman has skidded and now barrel-rolled his way to the finish line in his 20-year NASCAR career. His frightening crash on Monday night stole everyone's breath away.

The 42-year-old Indiana native slid across the finish line on his final lap in a crumpled heap of metal. Sparks flew everywhere as his car skidded to a halt. His car's fuel was spilling onto the track and was frighteningly close to open flames. 

Workers immediately placed several large black screens around his car as they wrestled to get him out of the metal box. The car had to be flipped onto its tires before the workers could unstrap the "Rocketman". It took the team nearly 20 minutes to pull Newman out of the car.

NASCAR announced Newman was confined at Halifax Medical Center, had non-life threatening injuries and was in serious condition two hours after the incident. 

"We had been waiting for information just like everyone else, so to hear some positive news tonight is a relief," global director for Ford Performance Motorsports Mark Rushbrook said.

Ryan Blaney, who sent Newman spinning into the wall, was crestfallen. Corey LaJoie, who hit the driver side door of Newman's Ford, said it was "unavoidable".

Fox: NASCAR released a clip of the accident on its Twitter page, promising updates on Newman's condition.

Roush Fenway Racing released a statement Tuesday afternoon via Twitter saying Newman was awake and responsive to doctors and family.

Newman was released from the hospital two days after his crash on Daytona 500. Roush Fenway Racing released a photo of Newman leaving the hospital's premises along with his two daughters. His release came hours after he was said to be alert and walking around the hospital.

Newman's team said the Indiana native is showing great improvement, constantly joking around with staff, friends, and family. 

No details of Newman's injuries was released. 

Crashes are fairly common at Daytona International Speedway. Drivers reach a speed of 200 mph when racing for position and often make contact in tight quarters. There have been no casualties since Dale Earnhardt's 2001 Daytona 500 crash that took the Intimidator's life.

NASCAR responded to the fatality by improving safety regulations, mandating head-and-neck restraints, and improving the design of the cars.

Newman had been in many frightening wrecks at Daytona and Talladega in the span of his career. In 2003's Daytona 500, his car went airborne, flipped repeatedly, and landed on its roof. He had a similar incident in 2009 at Talladega.

Denny Hamlin, the winner of the race, apologized for celebrating his victory. "We really didn't know," he said. "We got in the winner's circle and then that's when people told us. I wanted to explain that to everyone."

Newman is known for being a harsh critic of NASCAR's struggles to keep cars on the racing track. He was also fined for public comments the sanctioning body found negative. Newman's crash will surely serve as a wake-up call for NASCAR to do even more.

Newman said he stopped thinking about retirement after feeling renewed in his second year at Roush Fenway Racing. 

"I'm doing it past when I said I was going to do it 10 years ago. I don't know how to give the answer anymore, I really don't. I always said 40 and I'm 42 now," he said.

"I want to have fun with my life. If I can have fun in this garage doing it and get paid what I feel like I deserve to get paid, then I'm all for it. It's got to be fun and it's got be rewarding in more ways than one."