Ryan Preece’s pursuit of a postseason spot saw new obstacles after Bubba Wallace’s recent victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, intensifying the Chris Buescher playoff battle Ryan Preece. Despite a strong finish in the Brickyard 400, Preece’s chances of making the playoffs now depend on earning a win in the remaining regular season races, with Buescher currently occupying the final playoff slot.
Preece Slips in Standings After Wallace’s Big Win
Ryan Preece, driving the #60 Ford for RFK Racing, delivered a standout performance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, advancing from a 23rd starting position to lead 12 laps before securing a fourth-place finish. While this result was among his best, it was overshadowed by Bubba Wallace’s victory, which shifted the playoff standings. Previously close to the bubble, Preece is now positioned 42 points below the cutline as the postseason nears.
Chris Buescher, Preece’s teammate at RFK Racing, has taken up residence at 16th in the playoff standings with the same margin of points above the cut. With a tight points battle and only four regular season races remaining, both drivers face mounting pressure to claim a spot in the playoffs.
Preece Reflects on His Playoff Situation
Speaking to Frontstretch, Ryan Preece addressed the steep challenge ahead:
“I mean with how fast the 17 and the 48 are. I would say they’re gonna have to have some really bad luck and I don’t wish that on Chris, so we’re going have to win. Iowa is a track I feel I’d like to make a great memory at,”
he said. —Ryan Preece, Driver
The current playoff scenario sees Preece ranking four places behind Chris Buescher, with Preece sitting at 14th in the driver standings, holding 517 points to Buescher’s 559. Their battle for the final playoff berth is expected to draw close attention as the season advances toward its conclusion.
Iowa Speedway Next Stop for Preece
Ryan Preece’s focus now shifts to Iowa Speedway, where he once found victory in the Xfinity Series. The upcoming race, set for Sunday, August 3, at 3:30 PM ET, offers Preece a familiar setting, but his most recent result there placed him toward the back of the field. With his playoff hopes on the line, Preece aims to recreate his past success at the track.
Preece Adopts an Open-Minded Approach in Challenging Season
Preece remains steadfast despite the odds. He recently spoke about his personal growth through the playoff chase and the outlook he maintains for the final regular season push:
“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,”
he said via CBS Sports. —Ryan Preece, Driver
A Season of Growth and Opportunity
This season marks one of Ryan Preece’s strongest, with consistent results including nine top-10 finishes and two top-5s. On average, Preece finishes races in 16th place, notably better than his average start of 18th. His most impressive outcome so far was a third-place performance at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. As the regular season draws toward its final races, Preece’s determination and improvement set a compelling stage for the ongoing Chris Buescher playoff battle Ryan Preece story.
The remaining races, with Iowa Speedway up next, will be pivotal for Preece’s bid to reach the postseason. His pursuit, fueled by both experience and ambition, continues to draw interest as the NASCAR playoff picture takes shape.
