Kim Newnham
Dean passed away on 12/22. #365/ D 3 (and sometimes D2) at Fast Fridays. May His love for the sport goes back to the 80's, and he was delighted to get back in it in 2019. He missed 2023 due to his cancer battle, but still supported his nephew, Michael Newnham, in the sport.

Cindi Rott
A really good speedway racer and a super nice guy. Gone too soon. Rest in peace Dean Newnham. Sincere condolences to his wife, family and all others who loved him.

Nancy Dilkey
Sincere condolences and much love to the Newnham family. Rest in peace Dean.

Steve Evans
I'm really sad to hear Dean Newnham passed away recently. I knew he was having health issues but of course was hoping he would fully recover. He was a pleasure to have at the track and won two Division 3 Mains at Bakersfield in 2022. I guess we all never know what's around the corner. My condolences to his family and friends. So long Dean, you were awesome mate.

Dean Allen Newnham passed away on December 22, 2023 surrounded by loved ones at his home in Concord, California, after a brave battle with cancer.

Dean was born October 17, 1963 in Vallejo, California. He spent his childhood and early teens in Concord. In his mid-twenties, he discovered his lifelong passion in Speedway motorcycle racing. Left turns only, no brakes, and sliding sideways would be his dream sport for the rest of his life. He excelled in several professions over the years including as a carpenter, mill worker, and sauce chef, but his master craft was as a Mercedes Benz service technician.

Dean married his first wife, Daniella, in 1990, and became the proud and loving father to his daughter, Shelayne, daughter Sara, and his son, DJ. Life's adventures would take them to the mountains of Montana, where Dean became the proverbial mountain man – working in a sawmill, hunting, and fishing.
In later years, Dean lived in Red Bluff, where he and a friend ran a Speedway track. He spent years in Texas, but California was calling him home. He moved back to Concord in 2016. That same year, he reconnected with his old flame, Kim, from 35 years earlier. The two of them married in 2018.

The following year, Dean achieved the dream of once again racing Speedway motorcycles in Auburn. It was amazing, but not surprising to anyone, that he still had the skill to master that track after all those years. He ended that first year back as his division's point leader!

He will be remembered for his hilarious stories, and as a creative man of many talents. He was wonderful at home decoration – an interior "deansigner" you might say. He was always willing to help others, and was fiercely protective of those he loved and cherished. Dean was a unique and extraordinary man. He will be missed.

Dean is survived by his wife Kim, mother Margie, daughter Sara, son DJ (Dean Roy) and brother Brad. He will also be missed by his brothers and sisters in law, step-siblings, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and cherished friends.

Dean's memorial will be Wednesday, January 3rd, 10:00 a.m. at Ouimet Brothers Funeral Home in Concord, California. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or The Salvation Army.

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Ouimet Bros. Concord Funeral Chapel on Dec. 27, 2023.

Rider Number: 365
Hometown: Concord, California - USA
Place of Birth: - USA
Date of Birth: October 17, 1963
Occupation: Mercedes Benz Technician
Wife: Kim
Children: DJ & Sarah
Relatives in Speedway:
E-mail:
Web Site or Facebook Page:
Date Started Speedway: 1987 - 1995, 2019 - 2022
Reason to Race Speedway: A dare.
Goals or Ambitions for Speedway: Stay safe, have fun, maybe win some races.
Photo by: Gary Roberts and Kenny Lonngren

Bike: Jawa

Tracks Ridden:
USA: Fast Fridays - Baylands - Napa - Cal Expo - Vallejo - Bakersfield

Professional Achievements:
2022 - 1st Place Division II Main - Fast Fridays 07/29/2022
2022 - 2nd Place Division II Consolation - Fast Fridays 07/22/2022
2022 - Division II Main - Fast Fridays 06/17/2022
2022 - 3rd Place Division II Main - Fast Fridays 06/03/2022, 07/01/2022
2022 - Division II Main - Fast Fridays 05/20/2022, 06/10/2022
2022 - 1st Place Division 3 Main - Bakersfield 04/16/2022
2021 - 1st Place Division 3 Main - Bakersfield 12/18/2021
2021 - 2nd Place Division 3 Main - Bakersfield 11/06/2021
2021 - 1st Place Division III Main - Fast Fridays 08/13/2021
2021 - 3rd Place Division III Main - Fast Fridays 07/16/2021
2021 - 1st Place Division III Consolation - Fast Fridays 07/9/2021
2021 - 2nd Place Division III Main - Fast Fridays 06/04/2021
2021 - 2nd Place Division III Consolation - Fast Fridays 05/28/2021
2021 - 2nd Place Division Three Main - Bakersfield 05/08/2021
2021 - 2nd Place Division Three Main - Bakersfield 04/24/2010
2021 - 4th Place Division Three Main - Bakersfield 04/10/2021
2021 - 3rd Place Third Division Main - Bakersfield 02/20/2021
2020 - Third Division Consolation - Fast Fridays 07/31/2020
2019 - Division III Fast Fridays Track Championships - Fast Fridays 08/31/19
2019 - 1st Place Division III Riders Points
2019 - 1st Place Division III Main - Fast Fridays 06/28/19, 07/26/19, 08/02/19, 08/16/19
2019 - 2nd Place Division III Main - Fast Fridays 06/14/19, 08/10/19
2019 - 3rd Place Division III Main - Fast Fridays 06/21/19, 07/05/19
2019 - 4th Place Division III Main Event - Fast Fridays 05/10/19
2019 - 1st Place Division III Consolation - Fast Fridays 05/31/19, 06/07/19
2019 - 2nd Place Division III Consolation - Fast Fridays 07/12/19
2019 - Division III Main Event - Fast Fridays 05/24/19
1987 - Division Three Track Champion - Baylands 09/12/1988

Dean with his wife Kim
Vladimir Kruk Photo

1st Place Division II Main - Fast Fridays July 29, 2022
Michael Kirby Photo

(L-R) Dean, Duane Yarrow (RIP), Steve Lucero, Daniel Faria