Ryan Newman 'Looking Forward' to Racing Again After Head Injury From Scary Daytona 500 Crash

Not even one full week after a horrifying crash at the Daytona 500 that had the racing world holding their collective breaths, Ryan Newman said he's looking forward to getting back behind the wheel to race again.

Newman held the lead on the final lap of last week's Daytona 500 before a nudge from behind sent his car swerving to the right and flipping into the air before landing upside down on another car, and eventually upside down on the race track on fire. Emergency crews raced to Newman's No. 6 Koch Industries Ford that was upside down on the track. They extinguished the fires coming from it and then flipped it right-side-up, on its wheels, to check on Newman.

He was immediately taken to nearby Halifax Medical Center in Daytona, Florida, and the silence on his condition for the next two hours was deafening. NASCAR officials later that evening announced Newman was in serious condition, but that his injuries were not life threatening.

The NASCAR world let out its breath, and then had a sigh of relief when Newman was released from the hospital the next day.

The NASCAR Cup moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, for Sunday's Pennzoil 400.

Newman wrote in a statement that he is continuing to recover from a head injury—he surprisingly had no broken bones nor any internal injuries—and that he's ready to get back behind the wheel for Roush Fenway Racing.

"I was fortunate to avoid any internal organ damage or broken bones. I did sustain a head injury for which I'm currently being treated," Newman said, according to ESPN.com. "The doctors have been pleased with my progression over the last few days."

After battling through his current injury, Newman said he wants to return to winning more races.

"I have spoken with Jack Roush and he has assured me that the No. 6 car will be waiting and ready for my return," Newman said. "I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel and battling for another race win in the Roush Fenway Ford."

There is no timetable set for Newman's return to racing, but he does hope to compete for the championship in the 2020 season, the report continued.

The Daytona 500 began last Sunday, but was limited to just 20 laps because of torrential rains, and it was postponed to Monday afternoon. Denny Hamlin led most of the race's final laps, but it went into what NASCAR calls "overtime," or extra laps, because of wrecks that put the race into a caution flag. Newman took the lead and looked poised to win, but that was before the wreck. Hamlin went on to victory for the third time in his career, and second-consecutive year.

Newman's race team released a statement Monday night after he was taken to the hospital.

"Ryan Newman is being treated at Halifax Medical Center," Roush Fenway Racing said in a statement about its driver. "He is in serious condition, but doctors have indicated his injuries are not life threatening. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers and ask that you respect the privacy of Ryan and his family during this time. We appreciate your patience and cooperation and we will provide more information as it becomes available."

Ross Chastain announced on Twitter that he will race the No.6 car in Newman's place on Sunday.

"Today is about being the best sub I can for Ryan and his No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing team. Jack and everyone else in this company have been amazing to work with. Gonna go fight hard every lap just like the #RocketMan always does," Chastain wrote.

The Pennzoil 400 began Sunday afternoon after 3:30 p.m. ET. The race is being televised on Fox.