Newman, Wimmer Swap Nationwide Races

July 2, 2009 9:22 p.m. EST

Daytona Beach, FL (AHN) - Dale Earnhardt Jr. is wheeling JR Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet Friday night at Daytona International Speedway, but the team will switch driving duties at future events.

Ryan Newman, previously scheduled to compete at Kansas, will instead drive at Bristol on Aug. 21, while Scott Wimmer will pilot the entry on Oct. 3 at Kansas Speedway.

"I'm not sure how this whole deal really came together," Newman said. "When I was in Bristol earlier this year, we were talking about how I was running the Modified, Truck and Sprint Cup race in August; and someone said it would be really cool if I could find a car and compete in the Nationwide race, too."

"I thought about it, and was like 'Yeah, that would be pretty cool.' So, a lot of people started working on trying to get a Nationwide ride for me," he added,

The scheduling swap will allow Newman to compete in the "Bristol Grand Slam" - four NASCAR-sanctioned events all in the same week. Newman would become the first NASCAR driver to accomplish the feat.

On Wednesday, Aug. 19, he'll run the NASCAR Whelen Modified race, followed by the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race the same day, the NASCAR Nationwide Series race (Aug. 21), and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race (Aug. 22).

"Luckily, Scott Wimmer, Fastenal and JR Motorsports, were willing to trade races so that I could drive the No. 5 car at Bristol, and I really appreciate that,'' said Newman. "They have given me an incredible opportunity and I can't thank them enough. Hopefully, I can get a win for them in the Nationwide race on Saturday at Bristol as a way to thank them." Newman raced for JR Motorsports at Dover and is slated for four events in the No. 5, while Wimmer has competed in two of his scheduled six races for JR Motorsports this season.