Newman turns in incredible, emotional stunner

"Today's your day."

"I can feel it, Ryan."

"I know it."

It's the same in every sport. People go with their hearts. They tell you what they want you to hear, implore you to believe in happy endings. But more often than not, the driver knows better, especially one like Ryan Newman, among the few professional drivers with a college degree.

"College taught me two things," said Newman. "It was time management and problem solving."

Having graduated from Purdue in 2001 with a degree in vehicle structure engineering, he is a rationalist. What's more, he understood that the prognostications were rooted in reason, not wishful thinking.

For weeks now, the speculation centered on Joe Gibbs Racing with Tony Stewart, and Hendrick Motorsports with its dream team of drivers, including Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The smart money was on Toyota and Chevrolet. No one was talking about Dodge or Roger Penske, the owner who'd spent the better part of three decades trying to get a victory in the Great American Race.

As for Ryan Newman, being winless in his last 81 races didn't exactly qualify him as a favorite.

So he was characteristically low key in response to the well-wishers. He didn't want to seem immodest or cocky. But inside, Ryan Newman couldn't help but agree with them. The notion wasn't one he could quantify or calibrate. Engineers don't often put much stock in mere feelings. But it was there, an unmistakable belief in himself and his chances. He wanted to tell them, Yeah, I feel it too.