RFK Racing playoff bid Ryan Preece has become one of the most talked-about stories of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, as the Connecticut native pushes to lock in a spot in the playoffs. Preece, currently holding 14th place in the overall standings with 383 points, is chasing his best season yet amidst mounting competition throughout the garages.
Driving the No. 60 car for RFK Racing, Preece’s performance this year marks a significant improvement, having already achieved seven top-ten finishes in just the first 17 races. These results reflect the promise that prompted RFK Racing to bring him aboard after a busy off-season.
Discussing his improvement, Preece opened up about changing his approach and adapting to new challenges on the track and in team dynamics.
“I went in with an open mind of ‘I’m gonna work on me, I’m gonna trust the process and I’m gonna continue to push myself.’ And that comes with doing more listening than I do talking, having a different perspective going into the weekends, and really just having a big, open mind when it comes to a lot of things. I’m trying to definitely get back to the Ryan Preece that just drove race cars instead of just ones that I set up,” —Ryan Preece, Driver
Preece’s Cup Series journey began in 2019 with JTG Daugherty Racing. After moving to Stewart-Haas Racing as a full-time driver in 2023, he joined RFK Racing following the closure of his previous team at the end of last year. Now, benefiting from the guidance of experienced teammate Brad Keselowski, Preece sets his sights not only on personal progress but also on playoff qualification as the season intensifies.
Preece Faces Tough Opposition in NASCAR’s New In-Season Elimination Format
The latest challenge for Preece comes as NASCAR launches its inaugural In-Season tournament at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Featuring a 32-driver, single-elimination format, the tournament divides competitors into 16 groups, their seedings determined by results over the previous three races. Each pairing requires the higher finisher to move on to the next round, raising the stakes for every lap.
In the opening round, Preece faces one of the biggest hurdles—a direct showdown with current championship leader William Byron. With playoff hopes on the line and only one driver advancing from each head-to-head matchup, the margin for error has shrunk considerably.
“I think I got the short straw. It’s going to be a battle,” —Ryan Preece, Driver
Not only does Preece have Byron as an immediate obstacle, but the push for playoff qualification is tight within his own team as well. Teammate Chris Buescher remains a formidable rival, with both drivers aiming to accumulate enough points or grab a decisive win to guarantee their places among the postseason contenders.
What a Strong Finish in Atlanta Could Mean for Preece and RFK Racing
The upcoming race at Atlanta serves as a pivotal moment for RFK Racing’s playoff bid Ryan Preece. A strong result would boost his standing in both the tournament and the overall Cup Series, while a victory could all but lock in his first-ever playoff appearance with RFK Racing. As NASCAR’s playoff field begins to take shape, Preece’s mix of determination and adaptability, combined with guidance from veteran Brad Keselowski, could make the difference in one of the year’s tightest postseason battles.
Whether Preece manages to capitalize on his current momentum at Atlanta—and beyond—remains to be seen, but the team’s confidence is buoyed by a campaign that has already exceeded expectations, with eyes firmly set on translating that progress into a playoff berth as the season continues.
