Updated

Ryan Newman signed a one-year contract extension with Stewart-Haas Racing on Thursday.

"Proud to let everyone know that Ryan Newman will be back with Stewart-Haas Racing and the No. 39 team in 2013," Stewart-Haas Racing said on its official Facebook page. "The skill and tenacity he brings to our race team has helped us achieve a lot in a very short period of time, and we look forward to continued success with Ryan behind the wheel of our No. 39 Chevrolet."

Newman heads into Saturday night's race at Richmond 17th in the Sprint Cup points standings. He would qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup with a win.