Ryan Preece secured the pole position for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway, highlighting the significance of the moment for both himself and his team, RFK Racing. His achievement in earning the top spot in qualifying marks the first time the No. 60 car has led the field since 2006, solidifying the importance of the Ryan Preece Cup Series pole Richmond result in the team‘s history.
Preece Breaks Long Drought for the No. 60 Car
Driving the No. 60 Kroger/Kleenex Ford, Preece set the fastest time in Friday night’s qualifying session, giving him his second career NASCAR Cup Series pole and his first since Martinsville in 2023, when he led 135 laps. His pole marks only the third time the No. 60 car has claimed the top spot, with the last being Boris Said’s run at Daytona back in July 2006. Preece’s strong effort also gives RFK Racing its first pole since September 2022 at Texas, and adds to their tally with a 92nd pole in Cup Series history. At Richmond, this achievement becomes the eighth pole for the team and the first since Carl Edwards accomplished it in 2010.
Reflecting on his qualifying lap, Preece shared his sense of achievement and pride in the team’s preparation:
“When I drove it off into turn one, I know I got it all because the amount of time I drove it in there versus the grip she potentially had was definitely on the limit,”
—Ryan Preece, Driver
“It felt really good and Derrick (Finley) made great adjustments, along with the entire No. 60 RFK team and I’m just proud to have Kroger and Kleenex on the car this weekend.”
—Ryan Preece, Driver
Team Effort Behind the Pole Position
Ryan Preece credited his crew chief Derrick Finley and the whole No. 60 RFK team for the successful setup that led to his pole run. The collaborative effort was evident throughout the qualifying, with Preece acknowledging the critical decisions made by his team behind the scenes. He acknowledged the competitive advantage that comes from starting at the front, particularly on a challenging track like Richmond Raceway.
“Having the opportunity to start from the pole is going to make our job quite a bit easier as far as keeping control of the race,”
—Ryan Preece, Driver
“I trust Derrick, Brent and Matt to make the right decision and give us the best opportunity to be on the best strategy, have the best track position, have the best pit stops and execute a great race.”
—Ryan Preece, Driver
RFK Racing Sees Strong Results from Teammates
Preece was not the only RFK Racing driver with a notable qualifying effort. Brad Keselowski, a consistent presence for the team, secured the sixth starting position, while Chris Buescher will line up twelfth. Their performances add depth to the team’s outlook for Saturday night’s 400-lap, 300-mile race and give RFK Racing a strong showing at Richmond.
Preece’s Momentum Heading into Race Day
This season, Ryan Preece has found form in recent weeks, with two top-five finishes in his last three starts. His momentum is evident as he prepares to lead the field at Richmond, with the race scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET. Coverage will be available on USA, and fans can also listen in on MRN or SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
For RFK Racing and drivers like Preece, Keselowski, and Buescher, Saturday night promises to be an important chapter as they look to capitalize on their qualifying results and vie for a strong finish in front of a competitive Richmond crowd.
