Donnie Neuenberger
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Donnie Neuenberger (born in Brandywine, Maryland, on August 10, 1962), is a NASCAR driver. Neuenberger is a cancer survivor. During the 2004 season, he was diagnosed after nerves were pinched by the tumor during a race. He recovered and is still driving part time.
[edit] NASCAR Busch Series
Donnie made his Busch Series debut at Lowe's Motor Speedway in fall 2002. With his alma mater, the University of Maryland, College Park on the #77 Moy Racing Ford, he started in 41st and finished 26th.
Donnie was then able to run more races in 2003, as most of his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule emptied out. Driving Moy Racing and Means Racing (#52), he improved on his debut with a 20th place in the season opener at Daytona. He was 21st at Talladega, 42nd at Dover Downs and 30th at Daytona in the July race for Moy. In two races for Means Racing, he finished 41st at Texas and 36th at Dover Downs.
Donnie planned to compete in a full season run in 2004. With sponsorship from BG Products, Donnie made and ran the first five races of 2004. However, it didn't go too well. His best finish in that span was 33rd at Rockingham and that race was the only one he finished. After not qualifying for two races with the team, Donnie made his final race of the season at Talladega, where he matched his best finish of the year, 33rd and had his best start, 30th.
After Talladega, Donnie was diagnosed with cancer. The chemotherapy and the recovery forced Donnie out for the rest of the year.
However, Donnie was able to return to the track made in what many consider a feel-good story. MacDonald Motorsports #72 team invited him back to Daytona to drive the P4OT.com Chevy. Donnie jumped at the chance and enjoyed brief media limelight for his jump back to the track. After qualifying 37th, Donnie was running mid-pack before engine problems showed and finished 38th. Means Racing wanted Donnie back as well. He would drive both races at Dover Downs for the team. He finished 39th in both races. Notably, in the fall, Donnie was involved in a 13-car pileup on lap 2. His #52 Plan B Technologies Ford flipped twice before landing on all four wheels, allowing Donnie to drive away. However, it was Means Racing's swan song. Donnie drove what was likely their final Busch Series race as the final car was completely destroyed.
[edit] Craftsman Truck Series
Donnie made his NASCAR debut in the inaugural Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona in 2000. He started the race in 26th position in the #84 eBay Ford. However, Donnie was able to avoid a large wreck and drove home in 9th position. In addition to the season opener, Nueunberger drove in the 2000 season finale. After starting 34th, Donnie took the #51 Line-X Chevy to a 30th place position.
His runs in 2000 earned him a part-time ride in 2001. He returned to Daytona, driving the #51 Baltimore Ravens Chevy, finishing 15th. That would be his best finish in 2001. He ran 5 other races with sponsorship from IHOP. He was 28th at Darlington Speedway, 30th at Dover Downs, 19th at Texas, 26th at Richmond and 36th in the fall race at Texas. His best qualifying effort came in the spring race at Texas, where he started 19th.
Donnie and IHOP would also return for two races in 2002. He was 25th at Daytona and 29th at Texas, where he had his best qualifying effort of 29th for 2002. He did not finish either race due to crashes.
Donnie drove two races in 2003 for Rodney Smith, owner of the #66 Dodge. At Charlotte and at Texas, Donnie finished in the 25th position. His better qualifying effort came at Texas, where he started 23rd.
Donnie finished 14th position at Talladega sponsored by Royal Farms Gas Stations, his highest finishing Nationwide spot ever following a top 25 in Dover last fall with planbtech.net on board.
