Ryan Newman took time to reflect on Veteran's Day as he prepares for this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.

"My Army heart is heavier this week based on what happened in Fort Hood last week," said Newman, driver of the U.S. Army/Haas-Automation Chevy Impala SS. "Since Wednesday is Veteran's Day, every citizen needs to sit back and offer remembrance to our Veterans for their unselfish commitment and fight to preserve freedom."

Newman says the opportunity to drive the Army sponsored car has been a great experience for him this year.

"I am so proud to drive the U.S. Army car, it's been an eye-opening experience this year with the Army as our primary sponsor. I've had the privilege of visiting with so many Soldiers at Army bases, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and at the track. They are my heroes and it's an incredible feeling and honor knowing that our Stewart-Haas Racing team represents more than one million Soldiers in the NASCAR world. That is awesome."

The driver of car #39 would like nothing better than to score the team's first win at Phoenix this weekend.

"We finished second in the Coca-Cola 600 Memorial Day race, so it would only be fitting for our team to claim our first Army win during the week we celebrate Veteran's Day," said Newman.

With two races remaining on the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule, Newman enters Phoenix ninth in the Chase point standings.

"I look forward to Phoenix, it's a driver's racetrack because it's unique," explained Newman. "It's different from one end to the other. And, therefore, the crew chief can only get one end perfect, it seems, and the other one the driver has to adapt to. Phoenix is one of my favorite tracks and I know Tony (Gibson,crew chief) feels the same."

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