By alley - Oct 10, 2016, 7:05 PM ET

NASCAR: Newman signs multi-year extension at RCR

Ryan Newman has agreed to a multi-year agreement to remain with Richard Childress Racing in the No. 31 Chevrolet. The renewal marks Newman's fourth year with RCR and 16th full season in NASCAR's premier series.

"Ryan's consistency on the track has been a benefit to our organization and this extension solidifies the future of our racing program," said Richard Childress, chairman and CEO of RCR. "Ryan proved the first year he was here that we could contend for championships and with this continuation, I believe we can fulfill our commitment to winning races and a championship. Ryan has worked hard to represent many of our partners, especially the primary sponsors Caterpillar, Grainger and WIX Filters, helping them to get the most out of their respective racing programs."

With crew chief Luke Lambert, Newman has made two straight Chase appearances; in 2014 he fell just one point short of the Sprint Cup behind champion Kevin Harvick. Entering this weekend's Cup race at Kansas Speedway, Newman and his No. 31 team have accumulated 11 top-five, 39 top-10 and 65 top-15 finishes in 102 starts.

"I am pleased to continue driving for Richard Childress Racing," said Newman. "Our goal to win a championship all but turned into a reality during our first year together. I feel like since then, we have some unfinished business to complete. I'm fortunate to have forged a great relationship with my crew chief Luke Lambert, and I very much want to not only help him reach our goal of winning a Cup championship but also getting him his first Cup victory."

The South Bend, Indiana native's Cup career spans 17 years and over 540 races, totaling 17 victories, including the 50th Daytona 500 in 2008 and the 2013 Brickyard 400.