Ryan Preece’s path to the NASCAR Cup Series was defined by persistent effort and a deep awareness of family sacrifice, setting him apart from drivers who entered the sport with established resources. The RFK Racing driver’s journey highlights the financial and emotional demands of chasing racing dreams, especially for those without a motorsports legacy, displaying the core of the Ryan Preece NASCAR family sacrifice story.
Pursuing Racing Dreams Without a Family Racing Background
Unlike well-known names such as Chase Elliott or Kyle Busch, who benefited from racing family backgrounds, Preece started his climb in racing from modest beginnings in Connecticut. His father owned a small plumbing and HVAC business, supporting about ten employees, and, despite the absence of motorsport roots, was unwavering in his support for Ryan’s ambitions. Still, the family faced significant financial limitations that shaped every choice along the way.
Grinding Through Difficult Jobs to Support Racing
During his teenage years, Preece worked alongside his father, sometimes fabricating ductwork during summer months and braving harsh, icy rooftops doing HVAC work in winter. Unlike many peers who were building their race résumés at the track, he was putting in hours on the job, aware that funding a racing career could quickly drain family resources. This sense of financial responsibility influenced his entire approach. Speaking about that period, Preece shared his candid feelings about not wanting his passion to become a burden to those he loved.
“I saw the financial burden that it was… And as you know, racing’s expensive. So, I didn’t want my father or my family to go broke because we were racing.”
—Ryan Preece, RFK Racing Driver
The financial reality limited the levels they could reach, even as Preece’s skills developed and opportunities appeared. Looking back, he recounted the emotional weight of holding back from certain racing series despite dreams and talent.
“Now, my father, when things were really good or even right now, we can go race modifieds, but we weren’t going to be able to go do ARCA or K&N East or Xfinity or any of those things. Like financially, just we weren’t that (rich). And I guess at an early age, I just didn’t want to see my family struggle.”
—Ryan Preece, RFK Racing Driver
Determined not to let his ambition put the family under stress, Preece decided early to forge a different path, aiming to succeed without causing hardship for anyone close to him.
“I wanted to figure it out for myself at that point. So, I guess I don’t necessarily think that I was separating. I think I said separating from my father, but I wanted to find my own way, I wanted to build it up without (anyone suffering financially),”
—Ryan Preece, RFK Racing Driver
Translating Work Ethic from Job Sites to the Track
His years of hard physical labor, whether installing ductwork or working in challenging winter conditions, helped form his relentless work ethic. Compared to those past jobs, Preece has often joked that sponsor events are relatively easy by comparison, underlining how the demands of professional racing are an extension of the grit he developed off the track. To him, preparation and fulfilling commitments are integral to the role, not an added obligation.
This tireless drive carries over into every aspect of his Cup Series career. Preece is known for his commitment and willingness to go the extra mile, believing that success is found through consistent effort both on the racetrack and in building productive partnerships within NASCAR and beyond. He treats every day as a chance to demonstrate resilience—a hallmark of his journey from Connecticut job sites to top-tier racing.
Marking His Best Cup Series Season
In the current NASCAR season, Preece’s dedication is reflected in his results. Competing in the No. 60 ford/”>Ford Mustang for RFK Racing, he has secured two top-five and nine top-10 finishes over the first 22 races, propelling him to 14th in the Cup Series driver standings. These accomplishments mark 2025 as the most successful year in his eight-year Cup Series career.
Ryan Preece’s story stands as a testament to what can be achieved with hard work and a strong sense of duty to family. For aspiring drivers, it also highlights the unseen challenges many face off the track, where financial reality and personal values can define the path just as much as racing skill.
