U.S. Army Racing

Ryan Newman and the No. 39 Haas Automation/U.S. Army team ran solidly in the top-10 for much of Monday's rain-postponed Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono, Pa., Raceway. However, as a variety of pit strategies played out late in the race, Newman dropped deep in the field and was forced to battle his way back to a 14th-place finish to score his 12th top-15 of the season.

With qualifying having been rained out on Friday, Newman started seventh based on owner points. Early on in the 200-lap race, Newman reported handling problems. After several adjustments throughout the race, Newman brought his car to the attention of his crew yet again on lap 143 for four tires, fuel and wedge and air pressure adjustments. Because many teams elected to take only right-side tires, Newman fell back in the running order and restarted in 21st-place.

“I think we got behind with our track position strategy, and it ended up hurting us in the finishing order,” Newman said.

Denny Hamlin beat Juan Pablo Montoya by .869 of a second to win the race.

The next event on the Sprint Cup schedule is the Heluva Good!, Sunday, at The Glen road course race at Watkins Glen, N.Y., International. The race begins at 1 p.m. with live coverage provided by ESPN beginningat noon.