Ryan Preece’s breakout season going strong has become a key storyline in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series. After joining RFK Racing, his performance has exceeded expectations, with consistent finishes keeping him in the playoff conversation. A career-best run at Martinsville and strong showings at Las Vegas and Homestead have marked a turning point. Now, as the season moves forward, the pressure rises. Can Ryan Preece maintain this momentum and secure his place among NASCAR’s top contenders?
Key Highlights
- Ryan Preece ranks 15th in Playoff standings, showing a strong start with RFK Racing.
- Preece’s move to RFK Racing aligns with strategic team expansion and commitment to Ford.
- Notable finishes at Martinsville, Las Vegas, and Homestead highlight Preece’s growing race strategy skills.
- Preece achieves career-best finish at Martinsville, emphasizing effective team synergy and adjustments.
- Current 14th place in regular season standings signals potential for playoff qualification and success.
Ryan Preece’s Move to RFK Racing Brings High Expectations
Ryan Preece’s shift to RFK Racing for the 2025 season has stirred considerable anticipation within the NASCAR community. This move is emphasized by RFK Racing’s recent resurgence, marked by multiple wins in 2024, their initial such achievement since 2013.
Preece’s change comes at a crucial moment as RFK Racing expands to a three-car team, indicating tactical growth and ambition.
Having departed from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing, Preece remains committed to Ford, aligning with RFK Racing as a calculated step to enhance his career in the competitive Cup Series. The team’s recent performance path and expansion efforts have set the stage for heightened expectations.
Preece is seen as a potential catalyst for further success, blending his experience and resolve with RFK Racing’s emerging momentum. The combination of his driving skill and the team’s tactical positioning has created a promising outlook for the 2025 season.
Strong Start to the 2025 Season with RFK Racing
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has seen a promising start for RFK Racing, with Ryan Preece quickly making his mark. Through the initial seven races, Preece has showcased impressive form, finding himself 15th in the Playoff standings—15 points above the vital cutoff line. His performance is highlighted by a notable achievement: a seventh-place finish at Martinsville, which contributed to three consecutive top-10 finishes, a primary in his 194-race Cup career.
Preece’s early-season success is a reflection of his synergy with the RFK Racing team. This strong start has not only enhanced his position in the standings but also revealed his potential to ascend further.
“I’m proud of everybody on this Fastenal Ford Mustang and everybody at RFK. We’ve just got to keep working and keep grinding.” – Ryan Preece
Preece has expressed pride in his team, acknowledging their efforts and the need for continuous improvement. This level-headed approach emphasizes his commitment to maintaining momentum and aiming for excellence as the season progresses, aiming to solidify his place in the playoffs.
Breakthrough Performances at Las Vegas and Homestead
Building on his early season momentum, Ryan Preece delivered breakthrough performances at both Las Vegas and Homestead, solidifying his reputation as a competitive force in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series.
At Las Vegas, Preece exhibited tactical insight by finishing third, trailing only behind notable competitors Josh Berry and Daniel Suarez. Despite the No. 60 car spending much of the race outside the top 10, Preece and his team executed an alternate strategy that propelled him into a formidable track position in the race’s latter stages.
At Homestead, Preece once again highlighted his ability to rally under stress. Positioned outside the top 10 for most of the event, he managed a commendable ninth-place finish, emphasizing his resilience and tactical skill.
Martinsville Success and Career-Best Finish at the Track
Preece’s skill on short tracks shone brightly at Martinsville, where he exhibited remarkable talent and tactical insight. Known for his expertise, Preece earned four valuable stage points in Stage 1, setting the tone for a competitive outing.
Despite encountering difficulties that relegated him to 23rd place in Stage 2, his proficiency at capitalizing on restarts propelled him to a commendable seventh-place finish. This marked his best result in 12 starts at the track, highlighting both his resolve and tactical insight.
Preece openly admitted to struggles during qualifying but was quick to credit his team for their skilled adjustments and tactical decisions that played an essential role in his success.
“I didn’t expect that one. It all started with me messing up in qualifying and putting us back there. Ultimately, we got some great stage points and some great calls and great adjustments on the box and we got this Fastenal Ford Mustang where it needed to be.”
“We’ve got some work to do to be able to drive through like some other cars do, but I think we’ve got some good ideas and obviously a little luck went our way today.” – Ryan Preece
His performance at Martinsville emphasizes the synergy between driver skill and team strategy.
Key highlights from Preece’s Martinsville performance include:
- Earned four stage points in Stage 1.
- Recovered from 23rd place to finish seventh.
- Achieved career-best finish at Martinsville.
Looking Ahead to Darlington and the NASCAR Playoff Push
As Ryan Preece prepares for the upcoming race at Darlington, anticipation surrounds his quest to solidify his playoff position. Currently sitting 14th in the regular season standings, Preece finds himself in the most favorable position of his career after seven races.
His focus remains on accumulating essential points while also pursuing victories to guarantee a strong playoff push. At Darlington, a track where his RFK Racing teammates, Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher, were strong contenders last year, Preece aims to capitalize on their past performances and insights.
“We’re getting on a roll. At first, this is a place I wanted to take advantage of for points because I felt like Martinsville is in my wheelhouse, so I’m happy we did. I hate talking about points, but every bit matters.” – Ryan Preece
Preece’s history at Darlington reveals a mix of experience and challenges, with his best finishes being a pair of 12th-place runs and an average of 20.7 across ten starts.
As he approaches this significant race, his strategy will be vital in maneuvering the demanding track and maximizing his opportunity to advance further in the championship standings.
News in Brief: Ryan Preece’s Breakout Season Going Strong with RFK Racin
Ryan Preece’s shift to RFK Racing in the 2025 season has proven fruitful, with impressive performances enhancing his playoff prospects. His standout showings at Las Vegas and Homestead set the stage for his career-best finish at Martinsville, marking a notable milestone.
As the team looks forward to the upcoming race at Darlington, Preece’s momentum positions him as a formidable contender. His progress highlights the tactical success of joining RFK Racing, strengthening both his career and the team’s standing.
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