Ryan Preece’s Career at Stewart-Haas Racing: Ryan Preece opens up about his difficult time at Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) and the personal growth he gained. Despite a tough season and limited success, Preece emphasizes how his challenges shaped him. With a new chapter at RFK Racing, he’s eager to take his aggressive driving style and newfound resilience to the next level. What’s ahead for Preece in the 2025 season? The road ahead looks full of promise as he faces fresh challenges and opportunities.
Key Highlights
- Ryan Preece viewed his tenure at SHR as an integral phase for career development despite challenges.
- He maintained a constructive mindset during SHR’s final season, focusing on personal growth and improvement.
- Preece faced a difficult season at SHR, with a 26th place finish and limited top-five results.
- Exclusion from key team activities highlighted challenges, yet he gained resilience and experience.
- Transitioning to RFK Racing, Preece is optimistic about leveraging his growth for future successes.
Ryan Preece’s Perspective on His Time at Stewart-Haas Racing
In motorsports, perspective often defines a driver’s career, and Ryan Preece’s view of his tenure at Stewart-Haas Racing exemplifies this notion. Despite the shadows cast by Tony Stewart’s exit and the closure of SHR, Preece’s outlook remains markedly optimistic. He chooses not to dwell on the team’s end but rather sees it as an integral phase of his career.
Stewart, a critical force in NASCAR, left an indelible mark, and his departure undoubtedly shifted dynamics for drivers like Preece. Many speculated that Preece’s career plateaued during his time at SHR.
However, he refutes this, emphasizing the invaluable experiences and lessons learned. Preece regards his SHR period not as a missed opportunity but as a foundation for future successes.
His steadfast belief in growth over stagnation highlights his resilience and commitment to evolve beyond the challenges faced during his SHR journey.
Ryan Preece doesn't look back at last year as a lost season as the team knew in May that Stewart-Haas Racing (in its current Cup form) was shutting down. He explains why: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/sfwQgvqQ51
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 5, 2025
Ryan Preece Reflects on SHR’s Final Season
Ryan Preece navigated the final season of Stewart-Haas Racing with resolve and introspection, reflecting on it as a period of considerable personal growth. Despite the uncertainty surrounding SHR’s closure, Preece perceived the 2024 season as a time of development.
In discussions with Bob Pockrass from Fox Sports, Preece recounted the season’s challenges and disclosures. He believed the last 12 races exhibited a positive path, marking a period where perseverance prevailed over adversity.
“No, no, I actually feel like last year was a season of more building than most people know. There were so many highs and, or really a lot of really lows, but how we ended, you know, I felt like the final 12 or so races we trended in a better direction… In a moment where everything seemed like it was closing, I felt like our group kept pushing. So, you know, carry that same attitude and continue on and keep building. Keep making yourself better.” – (Preece)
Preece emphasized the importance of maintaining a constructive mindset, even amid closure. He and his team remained committed to improvement, leveraging every experience to foster growth.
Challenges at SHR and His Transition to RFK Racing
Despite the challenges he faced, Ryan Preece’s change from Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) to RFK Racing marks a significant moment in his career.
At SHR, Preece endured a difficult season, highlighted by his modest 26th place finish in the standings. His one top-five and five top-10 finishes, coupled with an average finish of 20.89, signaled a challenging period exacerbated by SHR’s overall struggles. The team’s decline was apparent, with only Chase Briscoe reaching the playoffs, leaving Preece caught in unfavorable circumstances.
Preece often found himself excluded from key team activities, such as being omitted from a farewell video featuring other departing drivers. Furthermore, he was unaware of a study group formed by teammates to improve performance, learning about it only through social media.
As SHR’s plans changed, Preece’s departure became inevitable. Moving to RFK Racing presents a fresh start, offering potential for Preece to harness newfound growth and resilience.
Ryan Preece’s Aggressive Driving Style and What Lies Ahead
Embracing a no-holds-barred approach, Ryan Preece’s driving style exemplifies aggression and tenacity on the racetrack. His reputation, echoing that of NASCAR veteran Ryan Newman, is solidified by his willingness to battle fiercely, refusing to yield even an inch.
“If you take an inch on him, he is going to take a foot the next time he gets to you. It’s not like, ‘You get me, I’m gonna get you back double.’ It’s like, ‘I’m gonna get you back tenfold.’” – (Blaney)
This aggressive nature, appreciated by his ex-boss Tony Stewart, has made Preece a formidable competitor, drawing admiration and caution from fellow drivers. At the 2023 Bristol Dirt Race and the 2025 Clash at Bowman Gray, his confrontations highlighted his relentless mindset.
Now at RFK Racing, alongside stalwarts Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher, Preece’s future looks promising. With Kroger’s enduring sponsorship, his maiden 11th place finish at Bowman Gray Clash marks the beginning of a new chapter.
News in Brief: Ryan Preece’s Career at Stewart-Haas Racing
Ryan Preece’s tenure at Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) was marked by substantial challenges that tested his resilience and resolve. Despite the difficulties, Preece emerged with valuable personal growth, learning to adapt and refine his approach.
As he shifts to RFK Racing, his aggressive driving style promises to be an asset on the track. Looking forward, Preece is poised to utilize his experiences at SHR, aiming for success and demonstrating his commitment to overcoming obstacles and achieving his racing goals.
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