2/19 -- MORE GREAT NEWS -- here's a pic of Ryan Newman SMILING with his daughters in his hospital room ... proof he continues to make great progress in his recovery after that scary Daytona 500 crash.
Also worth noting ... Newman appears to be STANDING in the photo -- which is another great sign.
12:55 PM PT -- Great news about the health of Ryan Newman -- he's awake and talking, his racing team confirms.
Roush Fenway Racing says, "Ryan Newman remains under the care of doctors at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.