Ryan Preece 2025 RFK Racing performance factors have become a central topic as the driver makes a dramatic comeback this season, building on years of perseverance. Competing in the №60 ford/”>Ford Mustang Dark Horse with RFK Racing, Preece is now delivering his best Cup performances yet and proving he deserves a spot at the front of the field.
After enduring setbacks and doubts about his place in NASCAR’s top tier, Preece now stands out thanks to a powerful combination of determination, team support, adaptive strategy, and technical innovation. The following four factors have played a crucial role in transforming his 2025 campaign into a season marked by consistency and success.
Preece’s career faced significant instability, culminating in a difficult 2024 season where he placed 26th and lost his ride after Stewart-Haas Racing closed its doors. At 34, he had switched teams multiple times, battling uncertainty and often getting overlooked by others in the Cup Series. Rather than stepping back, Preece channeled his energy into improvement, focusing on learning from setbacks and maintaining unwavering effort.
This dedication has paid off remarkably. For the first time in his Cup career, he achieved three consecutive top-10 finishes, including a career-best third-place result and a strong seventh at Martinsville, even after starting further back in the field. These milestones highlight the continuous progress that has become the hallmark of his racing journey, positioning him for what could be his best and most promising season yet.
A key element in Preece’s resurgence has been the aggressive and flexible approach adopted by the RFK Racing team. Under the strategic direction of crew chief Derrick Finley, the №60 team has made decisive pit calls and bold moves on race day. This new strategy has resulted in notable comebacks, such as when Preece shook off a speeding penalty in Las Vegas to claim third place—his highest finish yet—thanks to quick pit work and a smartly modified plan.
Success has not been limited to a single event; at Homestead, another top-10 run proved that taking calculated risks is delivering consistent rewards. Preece sums up the philosophy that’s driving the team forward:
—Ryan Preece, Driver
Technical expertise and data analysis have become central to Preece’s 2025 performance. Alongside crew chief Derrick Finley, he reviews SMT data and scrutinizes race video to understand both his team’s metrics and how rivals are performing. This commitment to using advanced tools has helped the №60 crew optimize their racecraft and fine-tune their strategies against top competition.
Derrick Finley himself credits much of this season’s improvement to the effective use of data and analytics, emphasizing that these insights have underpinned the team’s tactical choices throughout the schedule. By making advanced technology a daily part of their routine, Preece and his team have maximized both car performance and in-race decision making.
Preece has finally landed in a stable, supportive setting after spending much of his Cup career with under-resourced teams. RFK Racing’s past success and renewed push for playoff contention have provided Preece with the environment necessary for growth and competitive results. Team co-owner Brad Keselowski has been vocal about Preece’s strengths, noting his attitude and approach: Brad Keselowski considers Preece both “underrated” and “coachable,” key qualities for long-term success on a well-supported squad.
Now part of a team with strong resources and vision, Preece has been able to translate opportunity into performance. With the №60’s strong runs and a solid support structure in place, the partnership could be the start of a playoff charge or even Preece’s first Cup Series victory. Joining forces with a top operation has not only changed his fortunes for 2025 but could be a springboard for even greater accomplishments as the season progresses.
Preece’s breakthrough year is grounded in resilience, fresh tactics, advanced analytical methods, and the stability of a competitive team. As the 2025 season unfolds, fans and competitors will be watching closely to see if this turnaround can propel him into championship contention and a long-awaited trip to victory lane.
