Daytona is the only NASCAR race I will watch, only because I got to take a lap in the pace car in mid 1988.
Newman's wreck was absolutely brutal. It made me sick to see it happen in real time. I just knew I had watched somebody get killed. Side impacts are the worst. You could see his car bend in the middle.
When the black screens were set up, my stomach sank. Then, hearing Jeff Gordon on the verge of tears when signing off the broadcast, that added to the worry.
NASCAR's twitter feed blew up with people complaining about not getting updates within a half hour of the wreck. Today's HIPAA laws prevent any release of a patient's condition unless the patient or a family rep allows the release. Even then, the rep must have permission from the patient for the release.
But, the fact Newman is awake and talking is a very good sign.