Ryan Newman earned a spot in the Chase for the first time in three years after finishing 10th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Saturday night at the Richmond International Raceway.

"It feels awesome, especially after not making it (Chase) for so many years," We just never let up all season in the Army/Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala SS. When things wouldn't go right we would just battle harder," a happy Ryan Newman said. "This is our payback to our Soldiers who give us the mental strength and inspiration to keep on pounding away until the mission is completed. I'm so proud to represent the U.S. Army and knowing that I'm driving for over a million Soldiers fighting for our freedom. This is a win for them, too."

Newman made a late race come back Saturday night, taking over the 10th position on the last lap of the 400 lap event to record his third consecutive top 10 finish.

"We still have the final 10 (Chase) races to go and need to pick up our performance a little bit," Newman added. "Those 10 races are all about having fun --  can't really lose anything, but there's a lot to gain."

"Rocket" Ryan competed in the Chase in 2004 and 2005 and starts the 2009 Chase 10th in the standings.

The 10-race, 12-driver Chase begins this Sunday at the New Hampshire Motor Speeday in Loudon, New Hampshire.

2009 Chase Standings

1. Mark Martin, 5040 points
2. Tony Stewart, 5030
3. Jimmie Johnson, 5030
4. Denny Hamlin, 5020
5. Kasey Kahne, 5020
6. Jeff Gordon, 5010
7. Kurt Busch, 5010
8. Brian Vickers, 5010
9. Carl Edwards, 5000
10. Ryan Newman, 5000
11. Juan Pablo Montoya, 5000
12. Greg Biffle,  5000

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