Ryan Preece, a Berlin, Connecticut native, is making headlines with his impressive RFK Racing career year in 2025. Competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, Preece, at 34, has achieved personal bests in top-five and top-10 finishes, average start, average finish, and lead-lap results, making a mark even though he narrowly missed securing a playoff spot this season.
For a driver from a region less traditionally tied to the NASCAR spotlight, Preece’s journey with RFK Racing underscores the importance of finding the right opportunity at the right moment. Despite considerable obstacles, Preece now finds himself competing alongside well-established names like Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski, underscoring a significant progression in his racing career.
How Perspective and Team Dynamics Drove Career Progress
Preece credits a multitude of factors for his surge in performance with RFK Racing. He points to the unique dynamic within the organization, noting that understanding and addressing his own flaws, and learning to be a better teammate to drivers such as Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski, have contributed to a heightened level of performance and innovation within the team this season. The blend of different driving and working styles among the trio has proven especially effective in keeping the team moving forward.
Preece explained that entering 2025 was a decisive moment for him and the team, with expectations set high across all areas. The structure created by Brad Keselowski and the entire RFK organization fostered an environment that exceeded most predictions. While victories have remained just out of reach, consistent chances to contend for wins reflect a collective team effort paying dividends.
The rapid pace of change in NASCAR has added pressure for immediate results, with little time allotted for drivers to “gel” within a team. Preece appreciates RFK Racing’s approach, where three collaborative teams work diligently towards common goals, contributing to his adaptation and growth. The ability to build and progress alongside a robust organization like RFK Racing played a critical role in fueling his RFK Racing career year.
The Influence of Team Owner Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski’s dual experience as a driver and team owner brings a comprehensive vision to the organization, as Preece has observed. Keselowski’s deep understanding of the entire racing operation—beyond simply what happens behind the wheel—serves as a catalyst for the collective growth of the team’s drivers. This holistic approach influences not only Preece but others who have advanced through the team’s developmental programs, with Keselowski often recognizing potential in drivers before others do.
Preece has found valuable mentorship in Keselowski, noting that conversations with the owner frequently provide new perspectives and strategies. The shared experiences of overcoming hardships in the racing world foster a sense of kinship and mutual understanding, contributing to Preece’s ongoing development and success.
“Brad has impressed me as a racecar driver, looking at an owner, looking at another driver as a teammate. You know, there’s a lot of racecar drivers that they don’t see the entire picture. And Brad is somebody who sees the entire picture. A lot of people can act like they can, but I promise you, I’m even guilty of thinking I see a lot of it, but there’s truly times where I can have conversations with Brad, and it opens my eyes and gives perspective.”
– Ryan Preece, Driver, RFK Racing
Racing Roots: From Connecticut to the National Stage
Preece’s racing story began early in Connecticut, where he started competing in quarter midgets, following the path of names like Joey Logano, and then advancing to go-karts at local tracks including Silver City and Stafford Motor Speedway. With guidance from his father and inspiration from his older brothers—one of whom excelled in dirt micro racing—Preece gradually moved up through the ranks, shifting from local micros to modifieds in his teenage years. At 13, he first took the wheel of a modified, and soon after, his family sold their asphalt micro sprint to purchase their first modified racecar, setting in motion his ascent in motorsports.
This foundation in grassroots racing, marked by family sacrifice and a passion sustained from a young age, shaped his values and approach to competition, even as he worked his way through the Whelen Modified Tour and beyond. His story mirrors the hardships and determination familiar to many who strive for recognition and opportunity in motorsports, particularly when hailing from regions outside the NASCAR mainstream.
Limited Development Opportunities in New England
Compared to the Southeast’s established development ladders, the Northeast faces unique challenges in producing top NASCAR talent. In New England, opportunities in youth racing—such as Bandolero programs—are less common than in regions like Charlotte, where motorsports development is deeply embedded. Preece recognizes that most young racers in Connecticut typically cut their teeth in quarter midgets or go-karts on local circuits, before making the leap to modified or late model competition as they gain experience and maturity.
Despite these regional differences, Preece points out that standout drivers can still draw attention to less prominent series. Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell are cited as recent examples, each contributing to increased visibility for their respective divisions through performance in 410 sprint cars and midgets under the guidance of manufacturers like Toyota.
The landscape of opportunity for aspiring racers has shifted over time, with different regions and series at various points serving as talent pipelines. Yet, for those in the Northeast, breaking out and attracting broader attention remains challenging, and often depends on a unique combination of effort and exposure to bring recognition to their achievements.
Gaining Respect Through Determination and Roots
Preece’s journey through the lower ranks, supported by his family’s hard work and grounded in local connections, has fostered admiration within the racing community. The pride he takes in having “paid his dues”—moving up from mechanic-level beginnings and enduring the uncertainties of a racing career—reflects a tradition of respect for perseverance and genuine passion within motorsports culture.
“Yeah, that’s part of racing. It’s the stories, the family sacrifices, the sponsors that come with you. That’s what makes racing great, because we drive racecars, but a lot of it was this guy was a mechanic, or this guy was a plumber, and he raced on weekends. It’s no different than what Dale Earnhardt‘s story was many, many years ago, his hardships. So that’s what makes racers great. And I think at the end of the day, the respect that you carry through the garage on how you get there, as well as the respect you carry with race fans, is a huge piece of it.”
– Ryan Preece, Driver, RFK Racing
This recognition extends beyond the track to local racers, who relate to his path and achievements. Such acknowledgment holds special significance for Preece, who values the respect he has earned not only from fellow competitors and industry insiders but also from enthusiasts in his home region. As he connects with mini-stock drivers and grassroots communities, the shared pride in his challenging journey resonates and motivates Preece to continue striving at the highest level.
Looking Ahead: Building on a Standout Season
Ryan Preece’s RFK Racing career year in 2025 solidifies his status as a resilient competitor with the potential for even greater achievements ahead. His story encapsulates both the struggles and triumphs that define NASCAR’s most respected figures—drivers who are shaped as much by their backgrounds and perseverance as by their results on the track. For fans and aspiring racers in New England and beyond, Preece’s trajectory illustrates the enduring value of hard work, adaptability, and earning respect within the sport.
As the season concludes, industry observers will watch closely to see how Preece and RFK Racing capitalize on this momentum, with hopes of continued progress and perhaps even more significant milestones in the future. The collaborative environment at RFK, the leadership of Brad Keselowski, and Preece’s unyielding drive all set the stage for an impactful follow-up to his breakout campaign.
