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Ryan Newman returns to scene of harrowing Daytona 500 crash Ryan Newman returns to scene of harrowing Daytona 500 crash
Published
6 years agoon
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Ryan Newman expects to get a little emotional when he drives into Daytona International Speedway this weekend.
His last race at Daytona ended with Newman exiting in the back of an ambulance as countless onlookers feared for his life.
Newman will return to the scene of his most harrowing crash Saturday when NASCAR makes its debut on Daytona’s road course. It’s a 14-turn, 3.61-mile course that most drivers have only raced virtually, but Newman did score a real victory on it once when he won a 40-lap IROC race at Daytona in 2004.
The event 16 years ago was the same configuration that uses the winding course and parts of the high-banked speedway but few remember Newman’s race that day. Few will forget Newman’s violent and scary tumble six months ago.
Newman had to be cut from his No. 6 Ford after wrecking while leading the final lap of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17. He doesn’t recall anything about his two-night hospital stay for treatment of a head injury he called a brain bruise. His first memory is walking out of a Florida hospital holding hands with his two young daughters.
“I guess after February I’m pretty emotional every day,” Newman said recently. “I’m just thankful for the opportunity to continue on. I get to hit the reset button in a roundabout way, not with my life, but the reality is just to continue to play on.
“I will probably be some sort of emotional going back to Daytona, but I don’t see it being a whole lot different than the kind of emotion I had getting in the car at Talladega or even going back to Darlington for that matter when I went and did my first test.”
The coronavirus pandemic caused NASCAR to suspend its season in March, so Newman missed just three races. He is winless in the 18 races since, with a best finish of 12th. He ranks 26th in the Cup standings, knowing he needs a victory in the next four races to make the playoffs for the second straight year.
It certainly would be special for Newman to do it at Daytona, where the series returns again in two weeks for the regular-season finale on the main track.
“I’d obviously like to win it really bad,” Newman said. “That’s a no-brainer, for a playoff berth and just to get in victory lane in any form and any fashion would be pretty spectacular for me. And then obviously some bittersweetness being in Daytona after February.”
Newman beat Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson to the finish line in that 2004 IROC race. They are among a handful of current Cup drivers with experience on Daytona’s road course. Johnson has seven starts in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in a sports car. Michael McDowell (five) and Kurt Busch (two) also have multiple Rolex starts.
But the layout this weekend will be slightly different from other road course events here. NASCAR added a chicane at the exit of Turn 4 that will provide another passing zone and another chance to screw up. The extra twist also will slow speeds coming to the start-finish line and potentially avoid a repeat of what happened to Newman in February. His car came to rest on its roof near the entry to the road course.
“I guess my personal opinion on safety is not necessarily the slower the better, but the slower the safer,” Newman said. “If you are going to do this, you have to err toward the side of safety and that will be with lesser speeds and trying to calculate what risk is involved with, again, the angle of impacts that we could have to entertain.”
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Florida Freedom Stay Perfect at Home as Nashville Stampede Win Sixth Straight at PBR Freedom Days
Published
2 weeks agoon
August 10, 2026By
FNN SPORTSSUNRISE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Florida Freedom remained perfect on their home dirt Saturday night, defeating the New York Mavericks 89-86.8 for their second consecutive victory at PBR Teams Freedom Days at Amerant Bank Arena.
The victory improved Florida to 5-2 on the season and extended its overall winning streak to three games, keeping the Freedom one game behind the league-leading Nashville Stampede.
Nashville improved to 6-1 after defeating the Texas Rattlers 259.45-89.15 for its sixth consecutive victory.
Florida Freedom Go 2-for-2 at Home
Florida needed only one qualified ride to secure its second victory of the homestand.
Austin Richardson delivered it in the opening frame, riding Blazin Halos Late Night Toss for 89 points. The score ultimately proved enough to secure the Freedom’s 89-86.8 victory.
New York’s Leonardo Castro responded with an 86.8-point ride aboard EmmDee, his first qualified ride of the season, but the Mavericks could not overtake Florida.
The Freedom finished 1-for-5, while New York also went 1-for-5.
Florida entered Saturday after winning its Freedom Days opener Friday and has now won three consecutive games dating back to the league’s Oklahoma City event.
With a 5-2 record, Florida sits alone in second place behind Nashville.
Nashville Stampede Extend Historic Winning Streak
The Nashville Stampede continued their league-leading start by defeating Texas three rides to one.
Nashville entered Saturday having established an organization record with its fifth consecutive victory Friday. The Stampede extended that record to six Saturday.
Alan de Souza opened Nashville’s scoring with an 87.2-point ride aboard Dealer’s Choice.
Texas briefly moved ahead when Brady Fielder posted an 89.15 aboard Texas Slim, but it would be the Rattlers’ only qualified ride of the game.
Rogério Venâncio put Nashville back in front with 88.55 points aboard Political Cowboy before Daniel Feitosa added 83.7 points on Lights Out during a re-ride opportunity.
Nashville finished with 259.45 points to Texas’ 89.15, improving the Stampede to a league-best 6-1.
Texas dropped to 4-3.
Austin Gamblers Rebound Against Missouri
The Austin Gamblers bounced back from Friday’s loss with a 178.1-90.6 victory over the Missouri Thunder.
Three-time PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme opened the scoring for Austin with an 89.05-point ride aboard Linebacker.
Missouri’s Felipe Furlan answered with the highest-scoring ride of the game, posting 90.6 points aboard Geralt.
Sage Steele Kimzey then delivered Austin’s decisive ride, scoring 89.05 aboard King Ding A Ling.
Austin improved to 3-4, while Missouri also moved to 3-4.
Defending Champion Carolina Cowboys Move Above .500
The defending PBR Teams champion Carolina Cowboys improved to 4-3 with a 261.95-175.45 victory over the Oklahoma Wildcatters.
Oklahoma’s Trace Redd opened with an 88.5-point ride aboard Diamond Back, but Carolina answered with three consecutive qualified rides.
Guilherme Valleiras scored 84.95 points aboard Organized Chaos, followed by Keyshawn Whitehorse’s 88.95 aboard Hoobastank. Adriano Salgado completed the Cowboys’ scoring with an 88.05-point ride on Hay Train.
Oklahoma’s Kase Hitt added 86.95 points aboard XIT Socks In A Box.
The Wildcatters fell to 3-4.
Arizona Ridge Riders Defeat Kansas City
The Arizona Ridge Riders improved to 4-3 after defeating the Kansas City Outlaws 266.9-174.4.
Luciano De Castro led Arizona with an 89.55-point ride aboard The Heat. Eduardo Aparecido added 88.6 points on Chili Mango, while Elizmar Jeremias scored 88.75 aboard Power Trip.
Kansas City’s Sandro Batista scored 87.05 points on Free Flight, while Hayden Welsh added 87.35 aboard Strawberry.
Arizona finished 3-for-5, while Kansas City went 2-for-5 and dropped to 2-5.
PBR Teams Standings After Saturday
Following Night 2 in Sunrise, Nashville leads the league at 6-1, with Florida alone in second place at 5-2.
- Nashville Stampede — 6-1, 1,589.9 points
- Florida Freedom — 5-2, 1,249.85
- Arizona Ridge Riders — 4-3, 1,500.2
- Texas Rattlers — 4-3, 1,153.45
- Carolina Cowboys — 4-3, 1,062.75
- Austin Gamblers — 3-4, 1,281.2
- Missouri Thunder — 3-4, 1,070.35
- Oklahoma Wildcatters — 3-4, 884.25
- Kansas City Outlaws — 2-5, 966.35
- New York Mavericks — 1-6, 1,132.35
Freedom Days Finale
The Florida Freedom will look to complete an undefeated homestand when PBR Teams Freedom Days concludes Sunday at Amerant Bank Arena.
Competition is scheduled to begin at 1:45 p.m. ET, with live television coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET on The CW.
Nashville will enter the finale looking for a seventh consecutive victory, while Florida has an opportunity to keep pressure on the league leaders and close its home event with a perfect record.
Florida
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Randy Fine Endorse Joe Strada for Congress
Published
1 month agoon
July 24, 2026ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Republican congressional candidate Joe Strada announced endorsements Thursday from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Randy Fine of Florida, adding support from prominent conservative leaders to his campaign for Florida’s 11th Congressional District.
Strada, founder of Strada Services, said the endorsements reflect confidence in his business experience and commitment to advancing conservative priorities in Congress.
Conservative Leaders Rally Behind Strada
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise praised Strada’s private-sector leadership and pledged his support for the campaign.
“Joe Strada is a strong conservative Republican who will stand with President Trump to help us deliver on the America First agenda for hardworking families in Central Florida and across the country,” Scalise said. “Joe Strada has my full endorsement because, as a businessman, Joe knows firsthand what it takes to solve problems, create jobs and empower those who are willing to work for their piece of the American Dream.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan highlighted Strada’s workforce development efforts and business record.
“Joe Strada has built the American Dream for countless families in Florida and across this great nation,” Jordan said. “He’s tackled the skilled worker shortage by building his own training program and graduating students directly into the workforce. Now, more than ever, we need leaders like Joe Strada in Congress because he is a problem solver who will stand up for our shared conservative values and with President Trump.”
Florida Congressman Randy Fine also endorsed Strada, citing their shared business backgrounds and longtime friendship.
“Joe Strada doesn’t just talk about the American Dream—he’s helped thousands of Floridians live it,” Fine said. “While Washington created problems, Joe built solutions by creating his own workforce training program and putting graduates directly into good-paying jobs across Central Florida. President Trump needs fighters who know how to get things done, and I want Joe standing with President Trump and me in Congress.”
Business Background
Strada is the founder of Strada Services, which the campaign describes as the nation’s largest privately held, family-owned provider of air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and security services. His campaign has emphasized his experience as a self-made businessman and employer, arguing that his private-sector leadership prepares him to address workforce and economic challenges in Congress.
Campaign Message
According to the campaign, Strada is running on a conservative platform focused on supporting President Donald Trump’s America First agenda, strengthening workforce development, expanding job opportunities, and promoting pro-business policies.
The endorsements from Scalise, Jordan, and Fine are expected to bolster Strada’s campaign by highlighting support from influential Republican leaders with strong ties to the House Republican Conference and the conservative movement.
Looking Ahead
Florida’s 11th Congressional District is expected to draw significant attention during the 2026 election cycle. As the campaign progresses, endorsements from national and state Republican leaders are likely to remain an important part of candidates’ efforts to build support among primary voters.
Florida
Byron Donalds Courts Latino Voters in Kissimmee as Florida Governor Campaign Expands
Published
3 months agoon
June 8, 2026By
Willie DavidKISSIMMEE, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds continued his campaign for governor by engaging Latino voters during a stop on his “Defending the Florida Dream” tour in Kissimmee, where he shared his vision for Florida’s future and discussed key issues impacting Hispanic communities.
Florida National News was on hand to capture the event as Donalds met with supporters and community leaders while emphasizing economic opportunity, education, public safety, and preserving what he described as the “Florida Dream.”
Latinos for Byron Coalition Launch
The Kissimmee event follows Donalds’ May 2026 launch of the Latinos for Byron Coalition, a statewide effort designed to strengthen support among Hispanic voters ahead of Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary.
The Trump-endorsed congressman announced the coalition during a rally at Hialeah Park in Miami-Dade County, drawing approximately 300 supporters. Many attendees waved American and Cuban flags as Donalds outlined his vision for Florida and highlighted the growing influence of Latino voters in state politics.
Republican Leaders Show Support
Joining Donalds at the Hialeah event were several Republican elected officials, including Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo, the city’s youngest mayor and a lifelong resident. State leaders in attendance included Sen. Bryan Avila and Reps. Juan Porras, David Borrero, and Alex Rizo.
Donalds said Hispanic communities play a vital role in Florida’s economy, culture, and future, and he pledged to continue policies focused on economic growth, educational excellence, and public safety.
Building a Statewide Coalition
The Defending the Florida Dream tour is expected to continue across Florida as Donalds works to build a broad coalition of supporters ahead of the 2026 election cycle. His campaign has placed a particular emphasis on engaging Hispanic voters, who represent one of the fastest-growing and most influential voting blocs in the state.
As the gubernatorial race develops, Latino outreach efforts are expected to play a significant role in shaping the Republican primary and the general election.
Florida National News will continue to follow the Defending the Florida Dream tour and provide updates from campaign stops across the state.
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