During a pivotal moment in the All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Kevin Harvick voiced strong criticism of Ryan Preece’s actions following a restart penalty, with the dispute centering on Preece’s lane selection error. This Ryan Preece All-Star Open restart penalty analysis explores what unfolded, the reasoning behind NASCAR’s decision, and how key figures such as Harvick, Preece, and others responded as the stakes for a $1 million prize hung in the balance.
Controversial Restart Penalty Shakes Up the All-Star Open
The incident that triggered the debate occurred with just 17 laps left in Sunday’s All-Star Open. After a strategic four-tire pit stop, Ryan Preece had advanced his No. 60 RFK Racing Ford to second position. As the field readied for a restart, officials determined that Preece did not select a lane before the commitment box, a required step for all drivers during restarts. This action resulted in a penalty that forced Preece to the very back of the lineup at a crucial stage of the race.
Preece argued his mistake stemmed from the difficulty in seeing the commitment box. Earlier in the day, a Modified race had left the box heavily obscured by rubber, creating visibility issues that persisted into the Cup event. NASCAR acknowledged the conditions by sending track workers to repaint the box after the race concluded.
Harvick Delivers Blunt Assessment of Preece’s Error
Kevin Harvick, speaking on his podcast, addressed the situation and Preece’s reaction. Recognizing that Preece was frustrated by the costly penalty, Harvick emphasized the importance of accountability for professional drivers worldwide and in high-pressure situations like the All-Star Open.
“(Ryan) Preece was fired up after the open…”
the former Cup Series champion said.
“The drivers and their emotions, that’s what we want to see… I felt like he had the best car in the Open race, and he was mad and trying to blame it on somebody else. But in the end, I mean that’s your responsibility to put that car where it needs to be, and knowing that you also know that you had the best car in the race.”
—Kevin Harvick, Former Cup Series Champion
The penalty proved costly; Preece went from a potential win to finishing in 11th place, ending his hopes for entry into the All-Star Race and the chance at a seven-figure payout. Despite the setback, Preece remains 15th in the Cup Series standings with a total of 251 points. Harvick suggested that in moments with such high stakes, drivers must accept fault and learn from their errors rather than look for excuses.
“So you know, you look at Brad (Keselowski) losing the lead there on the restart. That was his only chance, but all these guys know you’re there to win, you’re there to be in the show, you’re there to win, and there’s a million dollars on the line, and I love to see the emotion,”
he added. —Kevin Harvick, Former Cup Series Champion
Tensions Flare in the Aftermath: Logano, Bell, and Harvick Weigh In
The drama didn’t end with Preece’s penalty. Following the All-Star Race itself, Kevin Harvick addressed a separate exchange involving Joey Logano and Christopher Bell, who clashed on and off the track in the final laps. Logano, disappointed after being passed by Bell for the lead, accused Bell of aggressive tactics, insisting he would have retaliated if given the opportunity.
Harvick offered his perspective on the controversial move by Bell and Logano’s subsequent reaction:
“You see (Christopher Bell) make the move, and Logano block him. To me, when you block, it’s game on at that point. He slid up the heel right there. Joey not happy afterwards. I think if the roles were reversed right there, Joey does the exact same thing to try to win a million dollars.”
—Kevin Harvick, Former Cup Series Champion
According to Harvick, blocking at this level signals to other drivers that all bets are off. Logano’s frustration was apparent, although he later admitted his initial anger may have been exaggerated. Even so, the tension reflected just how much was riding on every decision during the closing stages of the race. Logano had led 139 out of 250 laps and seemed destined for victory until the Promoter’s Caution prompted strategic pit calls. Choosing to remain on worn tires with teammate Ryan Blaney, Logano faced immense pressure from rivals on fresher rubber, setting up the dramatic finish with Bell.
The Broader Impact on Drivers and the Series
The high-profile incidents involving Preece and Logano illustrate how small missteps and heated judgments can have major consequences in elite motorsports. For Preece, a misread of a track marker led to a missed opportunity and intense scrutiny from peers like Harvick. For Logano and Bell, the contentious push for the lead in the All-Star Race revealed the thin line between fierce competition and post-race animosity.
As the Cup Series continues, all eyes will be on how drivers address rules enforcement, communication with officials, and their on-track conduct when millions are at stake. The events at North Wilkesboro Speedway are a stark reminder that in NASCAR, every detail—and every decision—can shape a season’s trajectory.
