Ryan, Krissie Newman give animals refuge at Rescue Ranch

STATESVILLE, N.C. – Krissie Newman likes to shovel poop in her spare time.

OK, so maybe likes is a strong word. But Newman, the wife of NASCAR driver Ryan Newman, does whatever is necessary to take care of animals and promote animal welfare education at the couple's Rescue Ranch facility 40 miles north of Charlotte.

Even if it means wading through animal dung while wearing black Prada sandals.

"I had crap up to my ankles one time, and I took a picture and texted it to Ryan," Krissie told USA TODAY Sports during a recent visit. "I said, 'How's this for the glamorous NASCAR life?' "

It's not uncommon for Krissie to feed the animals on race day morning, then hop a plane and go watch Ryan race. Expect a similar routine for Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600 – except Krissie can drive to the track instead of fly.

NASCAR is in the midst of a 10-day stretch of racing in the Charlotte area, which the vast majority of drivers and their families call home. Since the major race teams are located close by, the NASCAR community has collectively put down roots in Charlotte.

That includes the Newmans – Ryan, from Indiana and Krissie, from New Jersey – their two daughters Brooklyn, 3, and Ashlyn, 22 months, and animals they consider part of the family.

Since Rescue Ranch opened in October, the family has grown by the dozens. Goats, rabbits, birds, exotic reptiles and a cow roam the 177-acre property, all of them unwanted by their previous owners.

Rescue Ranch isn't just an animal shelter with a fancy name. It's an education center where local children can come for day camps or school field trips to play with the animals and learn how much goes into taking care of one.

But Krissie, who puts as much work into her hobby as someone would a full-time job, has a much grander vision. There's room on the property to build a veterinary clinic, a memorial garden for pets, a therapeutic horseback riding area for children, walking trails, picnic areas and more.

In some ways, the current education center building is just the beginning.

"The hardest part of anything you do big is building it so it can set sail," Ryan told USA TODAY Sports. "It's like building a boat: You can't get anywhere until you've got a complete ship.

"I think right now, she's kind of got a floating barge and she needs to figure out how to propel it and get from port to port so she can be successful."

Krissie Newman kisses a cow at the Rescue Ranch. Newman would like to build a vet clinic, a memorial garden for pets, a therapeutic horseback riding area for kids, walking trails, picnic areas and more on the property.

Ryan and Krissie Newman care for a rabbit they acquired through "owner surrender." A photographer had bought the rabbit to use as the Easter bunny in pictures, but she soon found it was too much to handle.

Ryan and Krissie Newman walk the grounds at their Rescue Ranch. Among Ryan's duties: mowing the grass, clearing brush and helping build the walking trails. Krissie works on everything from feeding and cleaning animals to administrative duties.

Krissie Newman feeds a snake as husband Ryan looks on. It's not uncommon for Krissie to feed the animals on NASCAR race day morning, then hop a plane and go watch Ryan race.

Ryan and Krissie Newman walk with a cow at their Rescue Ranch. The couple does a lot of the work at the ranch themselves, along with four employees and a staff of volunteers.

Both Ryan and Krissie Newman have always had a passion for helping animals, even as kids.

Krissie Newman tends to a bird at the Rescue Ranch. Newman was inspired by the Helen Woodward Animal Center, located 25 miles north of San Diego, and modeled the Rescue Ranch after that facility.

Ryan and Krissie Newman care for a sheep at their Rescue Ranch facility 40 miles north of Charlotte.

Ryan Newman, left, and his wife, Krissie, opened Rescue Ranch in October 2013. There are dozens of animals – goats, rabbits, birds, exotic reptile