In 2025, few expected Ryan Preece to rise to prominence so early in the season after a deal put him in a third RFK Racing entry late in 2024. Last Sunday at Talladega, Preece shattered all expectations, solidifying his strong standing in NASCAR, and made clear he’s not going anywhere
Before joining RFK Racing, Preece, confessed to Motosport.com he was contemplating moving back home, but after his spectacular run in the NASCAR Cup Series, such thoughts seem to be far in the rearview mirror. Unbelievably, he now possesses multiple top-five finishes within the first ten races of the season — an achievement that’d historically evaded him.
His recent race was especially riveting. After ranking third in Las Vegas, he clinched an impressive second-place finish at Talladega. Preece was astonishingly close to winning, with a narrow finish that saw him drag-racing eventual winner, Austin Cindric. Cindric had the upper hand due to a draft from leading lapped cars, a slim margin separating them by only 0.022s at the finish line.
Preece revealed mixture of satisfaction and hunger for more, saying, “I’m happy but as a racer, you want to win. I felt like coming through the tri-oval, we’re all staying together and no one was really leaving me. I wish I didn’t have to shade up so much and maybe side-draft Austin [Cindric] to pull him back.”
Preece also warmly acknowledged his partners and fans back home in Connecticut, noting their impact on his journey: “Without this opportunity, I’d probably be back in Connecticut racing Modifieds. So, this one is for the modified crowd.”
Preece now stands 13th in the standings, eclipsing both of his senior RFK Racing teammates who didn’t progress beyond the initial stage at Talladega. He commended his No. 60 team for doing everything they could and executing Stage 3 perfectly. In the words of Preece, “It’s a great day, but I wanted to win.”
Overall, Ryan Preece’s display at Talladega has significantly impacted his career trajectory, and he continues to be a thrilling presence in NASCAR. Going forward, Preece’s indomitable spirit and resilience might just prove to be the catalyst that propels him to even greater heights.
