Ryan Newman made his return to a NASCAR track Friday for the 1st time since his wreck at the Daytona 500 ... and he told reporters "it's a miracle" he's still breathing.
"It's great to be alive," the 42-year-old said. "After looking at my car, it's a miracle."
As we previously reported ... Newman flipped his car multiple times during the last lap of the NASCAR's biggest race on Feb. 17 ... and he was rushed to the hospital for emergency care.
Miraculously, he was able to WALK OUT of the hospital just two days later .