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Ryan Newman spins in 1st Daytona 500 as drivers adapt to NASCAR's new Gen-6 race car

Associated Press
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Brad Keselokski walks through his garage as his crew makes repairs during practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (The Associated Press)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. watches as his crew gets his car ready in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (The Associated Press)

It was a dramatic first practice session for the Daytona 500, with Ryan Newman demonstrating the instability of NASCAR's new Gen-6 race car.

Newman spun about 15 minutes into Wednesday's first session, losing control of his Chevrolet right in front of Carl Edwards and Mark Martin. All three cars sustained damage, and it's the third wreck in a week that has collected Martin.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s engine blew during the session, and putting a fresh one in his car means he will start at the back of the field in Thursday's Daytona 500 qualifying race.

Defending Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski missed most of the session with a fuel system issue.