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NASCAR America: Ryan Newman passion for racing began with father, grandfather

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Ryan Newman shares family stories of racing with his grandfather and father and how the sport has been in his family's blood.

Ryan Newman is a Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 winner, but his history with racing began in Indiana, where he fell in love with it just like his father, Greg Newman, and his grandfather.

Greg Newman was even a spotter for his son when he won the 50th Daytona 500 and the 2013 Brickyard 400.

The Richard Childress Racing driver joined NASCAR America on Wednesday and discussed how deep racing runs in his family.

“My grandfather ... helped build South Bend Motor Speedway so racing’s been in my blood for a long time,” Ryan Newman said. “My dad always wanted to be a race car driver, so I don’t think without his drive I would be necessarily where I am or who I am.”

Newman began racing at 4 years old and made his Cup debut in 2000 at Phoenix Raceway. Newman discusses Team Penske’s “ABC Program” that led to his Cup career and how his engineering degree from Purdue University has benefited his career.

Watch the above video for the full segment.

Below, watch this week’s “Drivers Meeting” where Newman talks with Kyle Petty and Steve Letarte about what he likes about racing at Bristol Motor Speedway and driving for RCR.