ST. LOUIS – Ryan Newman will make a deep-dive back into his open-wheel roots this weekend by competing in the Gateway Dirt Nationals, Dec. 19-21 inside The Dome at America’s Center.

Newman will drive the No. 6bc for Clauson-Marshall Racing in the midget portion of the three-day event, which also features late models and modifieds racing on a temporary dirt oval.

The midget for Newman will carry sponsorship from Coca-Cola. Newman has been a part of the Coca-Cola Racing family of drivers in NASCAR since 2009.

Newman revealed the livery for his Gateway ride on social media early Tuesday afternoon.

Getting ready to get dirty this weekend! @ClausonMarshall @CocaColaRacing @CocaCola #partner #MyTrackMyRoots #DirtInDecember pic.twitter.com/Iob4y6dRkh

— Ryan Newman (@RyanJNewman) December 17, 2019

While Newman has been a regular competitor in selected USAC Silver Crown Series events over the past several years, including the Rich Vogler Classic at Lucas Oil Raceway, it is believed that this weekend’s Gateway appearance will mark Newman’s first time behind the wheel of a midget car since 2007.

That year, Newman drove an entry fielded by Keith Kunz in the Copper World Classic at ISM Raceway (then Phoenix Int’l Raceway) and finished 34th.

Newman will no doubt be looking to better that mark in his midget return this weekend at Gateway.

Of note, Newman finished 19th in his Silver Crown start at the Vogler this year, crashing out on the 43rd lap while running eighth after contact with the spun car of Annie Breidinger.