In addition to the rookies troubling debut, Stewart-Haas Racing driver Ryan Newman did not fare so well either.

Newman's week started off with an engine failure in Wednesday's practice and gradually got worse. Following the practice, Newman got wrecked in the Duel, blew his right rear tire during a practice session forcing him to his second backup car.

"It's just been a tough week for the U.S. Army team," said Newman. "But this is the Soldiers' team and we'll come back fighting even harder next week."

However, his problems had nothing on the 36th place finish he cultivated in the Daytona 500. After winning the event in 2008, Newman encountered problems on pit road to set him back from defending his title.

Making an unplanned pit stop on lap 73, Newman felt an unusual vibration in the car. In addition to the vibration, the No. 39 Chevrolet shot foward in the middle of the stop causing the car to slip off of the jack. The miscue set Newman back two laps.

"We knew we had our backs to the wall, but still felt we could have a good run today," Newman explained. "The guys worked hard to get this car ready in a short time. I am so proud of them.

"When we fell two laps down it was a struggle from that point on. The rain obviously hurt us because we needed more time if we were going to get those laps back."

Putting the struggle behind him, look for Newman and the No. 39 team to battle back and prove that they have what it takes to get the job done.