IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Ryan Newman released from hospital following harrowing Daytona 500 crash

The NASCAR driver was pictured walking with his two daughters, a stunning scene after his catastrophic crash at the Daytona 500 just two days ago.
/ Source: TODAY

NASCAR racer Ryan Newman was released from a Florida hospital Wednesday, just two days after he was involved in a fiery crash at the Daytona 500, his racing team said.

The team, Roush Fenway, announced the surprising news on Twitter with a photo showing the 42-year-old auto racer walking hand in hand with his two daughters.

"Ryan Newman has been treated and released from Halifax Medical Center," the team said in a short statement.

Earlier Wednesday, Newman had NASCAR fans breathing a sigh of relief when a new photo shared by his wife showed the auto racer standing and smiling with his girls in a hospital room.

The upbeat photo of the so-called "Rocket Man" — wearing a hospital gown and a big grin behind his two daughters, Brooklyn and Ashlyn — was posted on Twitter by his wife, Krissie, along with a statement from his racing team about his recovery.

"Ryan Newman continues to show great improvement after Monday night's last-lap accident at Daytona International Speedway," the statement read.

"The veteran driver is fully alert and walking around Halifax Medical Center. True to his jovial nature, he has also been joking around with staff, friends and family while spending time playing with his two daughters."

Newman was hospitalized in serious condition following a catastrophic wreck in the final lap of the Daytona 500 on Monday.

After hitting the wall, his No. 6 Ford Mustang flipped onto its roof and was struck by another car on its driver's side. It went airborne, and then skid across the finish in a shower of sparks and flames.

Earlier Wednesday, TODAY reported Newman was awake and speaking to doctors at the Daytona Beach hospital where he had been taken with serious but "not life-threatening" injuries immediately the crash.

Krissie Newman's photo prompted a joyous response from thousands of racing fans.

"You just made me cry at work," one fan wrote.