The Kyle Larson Daytona finish controversy took center stage at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in Daytona, as Ryan Preece vocally criticized his competitors after a dramatic ending led to his playoff hopes slipping away on Saturday. In the final laps, strategic moves and alliances between drivers shaped a heartbreaking outcome, with Preece missing the postseason despite a standout year.
Final Laps Spark Outrage After Playoff Standings Shift
Late in the race at Daytona, Ryan Preece appeared to be in prime position to take control and win, leading a line from the outside as the laps dwindled. Preece, representing RFK Racing, found himself just ahead of his teammate Chris Buescher, but crucially, the two teammates were not working together in a unified front.
Preece soon had Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, both driving Chevrolets for Hendrick Motorsports, lined up behind him. On superspeedways like Daytona, manufacturer alliances often play a critical role, and in this case, Larson and Elliott were not in a position to help Preece, whose Ford needed drafting support. As the pack reordered, Preece became isolated in the middle lane and was quickly boxed in by the competition.
Expressing raw emotion after the race, Preece vented his frustration over the radio, feeling betrayed by the lack of manufacturer support when it mattered most.
“If I had a Ford behind me, we wouldn’t f***ing won that race!”
—Ryan Preece, RFK Racing Driver
Preece further unloaded his dissatisfaction, suggesting the Hendrick duo acted to protect Alex Bowman’s playoff chances by keeping him ahead, which left Preece without the help he desperately needed in the closing moments.
“I mean, I know why they did it. They did it so the 48 couldn’t get knocked out. Motherf***er!”
—Ryan Preece, RFK Racing Driver
Reporter Steven Taranto captured the driver’s sentiments, reiterating Preece’s clear displeasure with the team orders and the way the closing laps unfolded. Preece accused Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott of abandoning him as part of a playoff protection strategy.
Preece’s Breakout Season Ends Short of Playoffs
Despite showing significant improvement and racing at a high level throughout the season, Ryan Preece missed the NASCAR Playoffs following the Daytona finish. Many observers noted that Preece was among RFK Racing’s top performers all year, excelling unexpectedly on road courses and coming agonizingly close to multiple wins.
His competitive spirit and standout pace brought him just 35 points shy of teammate Chris Buescher, a narrow margin underscoring the frustration of falling short. The season also saw Brad Keselowski, another RFK driver, climb from below 30th in the standings up to 19th, yet, astonishingly, no RFK Racing car ultimately qualified for the playoffs. This mass exclusion was shocking to many in the NASCAR community.
Uncertainty Looms for Preece and RFK Racing’s Future
Ryan Preece’s narrative at Daytona could have been a career-defining achievement given his long road through the racing ranks, but the turn of events leaves his future clouded in uncertainty. While Preece has proven he belongs in the NASCAR Cup Series, RFK Racing faces further complications: the charter Preece currently drives for is under lease by Rick Ware and is entangled in a legal dispute involving Legacy Motor Club, which could impact the team’s participation in the next season.
The controversial ending at Daytona not only derailed a Cinderella playoff run but also leaves lingering questions about on-track alliances and the business side of NASCAR, as the organization heads toward a pivotal offseason for Preece and RFK Racing.
