The way the season started out for Ryan Newman and the No. 39 Stewart-Haas Racing team, few would have expected they would be sitting fourth in the standings just fourteen races in. Throughout the year, this team has fought adversity around every corner and somehow come out on top every time. Sunday’s race at Pocono was no different.
Running in the top-10 in the opening stages of the Pocono 500, Newman began to notice an issue under the hood about eighty laps into the 200-lap event. With the engine alternating between seven and eight cylinders, Newman attempted to diagnose the problem while doing all he could to maintain his position of the track. The team caught a break on when the caution flew on Lap 105 allowing them to hit pit road and work on the issue.
Remaining calm, cool and collected the team was able to determine a spark plug had broken and quickly went to work making repairs. Benefiting from the long caution laps at Pocono, the team was able to remedy the situation and send the No. 39 back on the track on the lead lap.
"We had a spark plug problem and changed it after we 
changed it after we changed the distributor cap and wires. We were trying to troubleshoot," Newman said following the event. "I felt like I was driving an old car or something and troubleshooting at the same time. But the guys did a great job on pit road getting everything changed. We got lucky just being able to stay on the lead lap with the Haas Automation Chevrolet."
Restarting in the back of the pack, Newman set his sights on the front of the field and spent the rest of the afternoon working his way back towards the front.
After realizing the race would come down to fuel mileage, Newman hit pit road one lap before the field went back to green on Lap 165 to top off the No. 39 Chevrolet with fuel. By doing so, Newman ensured he would have enough gas to go the distance and when others began peeling off for fuel late in the race he was in position to take advantage.
Coming home fifth Newman moved up one spot in the series standings to fourth, 203 marks behind teammate and car owner Tony Stewart. The top-5 run also marked the sixth-straight top-10 finish and fifth top-5 in six events.
"It’s a group effort and you’re seeing the results," Newman added. "When you get both cars in the top-five it’s not by luck. Happy we got the trophy here for the organization. We’ll just keep working with the U.S. Army/Haas Automation Chevrolet and try to get it to Victory Lane."
Just like when Stewart wrecked his primary car on Saturday, Newman’s team showed the patience and preparation needed to overcome the unexpected issue.
"I think it's just preparation and having a group of guys that have the confidence that no matter what the challenge is, they are not going to panic. They are not going to freak out. They just know that you are going to have situations like that," team owner and race winner Tony Stewart explained.
Where other teams would have buckled under the pressure, the Stewart-Haas Racing organization has shown that no matter what is thrown their way they are able to handle it like pros. With confidence, patience and perseverance like that this team will be a threat for the title for sure.
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