Ryan Preece was left visibly frustrated after being penalized in the All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro on Sunday, losing his shot at entry to the All-Star Race due to a controversial restart box violation. As the race reached its closing stages, Preece’s No. 60 Ford was running a strong second with just 17 laps remaining when NASCAR officials sent him to the back of the field, claiming he had crossed over the restart commitment box—a requirement for drivers to choose their starting lane before the designated area.
Preece, who had rallied into contention with a quick four-tire stop at the halfway caution, expressed that the real issue was the commitment box itself, which he described as nearly invisible from his view in the car.
“It’s really nonexistent from inside the car,”
Ryan Preece stated in a post-race interview with FS1’s Regan Smith.
“You can’t see it. So I just hooked a hard left going across the line, figuring it’s in that area. I’m frustrated because if you have a situation like that, put a cone out there so we can see it.”
The penalty came at a critical moment, just after Preece had surged ahead seven spots and was challenging All-Star Open winner Caron Hocevar, who had benefited from a two-tire strategy. While Ryan Preece’s Ford Mustang appeared to be one of the fastest cars in the field, his frustration was directed both at the unclear on-track markings and the NASCAR officials responsible for enforcement.
“Heartbreaking to have a heartbreaking run like that taken away by someone in the tower,”
Preece said.
Responding to the controversy, NASCAR officials ordered the commitment box to be immediately repainted as soon as the event ended, acknowledging that race rubber had nearly erased it from sight. With Ryan Preece’s penalty sparking debate, questions about track visibility and fair enforcement may drive changes to procedures in future events, with both drivers and teams likely pushing for clearer solutions to avoid similar incidents.
