Ryan Preece RFK Racing rise has become a headline story in the NASCAR Cup Series, as Preece’s debut campaign with Roush-Fenway-Keselowski Racing (RFK) has delivered a level of success few anticipated in the 2025 season. With notable achievements and consistent performance, Preece and the newly established #60 Ford team have quickly made their mark on the sport.
Ryan Preece’s NASCAR Journey and Fresh Start at RFK Racing
Ryan Preece’s path to RFK Racing spans several years and multiple teams, reflecting his determination and adaptability in the NASCAR Cup Series. He entered the Cup scene in 2015 with Premium Motorsports, handling the #98 Chevy and Ford before stepping away for a period. Returning in 2019, Preece competed for three seasons with JTG Daugherty Racing, gaining valuable experience and developing his skills. In 2023, he joined Stewart-Haas Racing, a tenure that ended when the team withdrew from the series after the 2024 season.
This twist paved the way for Preece’s next chapter: a seat with RFK Racing for the 2025 season. The organization took a bold step by building the #60 Ford team from the ground up, a move that soon paid dividends. RFK’s first-year squad not only adapted rapidly but delivered competitive runs, with Preece coming close to victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Preece Reflects on Exceeding Expectations
Ryan Preece openly shared his thoughts on the buzz surrounding the new RFK entry and their rapid climb:
“I’ll be honest with you, I think it shocked a lot of people for a first-year team that has never been together or been at RFK as an organization, so I feel like we’ve executed and done a good job on being consistent and making progress outside of winning.”
Ryan Preece, Driver, RFK Racing
“A win would have locked us into the Playoffs, but if you take away winning and you’re in, I see some things… I think we’d be like 12th or whatever in points, and that’s not something to be upset about,” he added.
Ryan Preece, Driver, RFK Racing
Preece’s debut campaign statistics support the excitement surrounding the team’s rise. He currently stands 18th on the Cup Series leaderboard with 748 points. Over 32 starts, he has amassed 11 top tens, three top-five finishes, and a pole position at Richmond Raceway. His average finish, a strong 16.438, is boosted by having led 132 laps in his Ford Mustang, further pointing to the consistency and competitiveness that both Preece and RFK Racing have brought to the series this year.
Career-Best Result Showcases Team Effort
March 2025 proved to be a career milestone for Preece at the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube. Competing in the #60 Ford, he notched his best finish in years, an achievement that highlighted both his driving ability and the operational strength of RFK Racing. Starting from 12th after qualifying with a lap of 28.97 seconds at a top speed of 186.42 mph, Preece faced early adversity, dropping positions in the initial stage. However, a determined recovery in stage two vaulted him back into the top eleven, eventually securing a third-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Preece’s pride in the collaborative team effort was clear as he discussed the race and what it meant for his career trajectory:
“If I finished 15th like last week, taking a chance, or staying out, um, like we did this week to get track position so just proud of, uh, proud of the team. You know, people talk about effort all day long, and every single person in this garage it doesn’t matter if they finish 20th today or or or one they all work really hard, but I’m just grateful, uh, you know, I got a team that’s fighting.” [00:55].
Ryan Preece, Driver, RFK Racing
Notably, Wood Brothers Racing’s Josh Berry secured his first career victory in this 267-lap contest, with Daniel Suarez clinching second place. Preece’s strong third-place result added 24 points to his season tally, underlining his steady progression and a level of resilience applauded by fellow competitors such as Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin.
RFK Racing’s Quick Impact and What Lies Ahead
The swift ascent of the #60 Ford Mustang Dark Horse program underlines RFK Racing’s knack for building competitive teams from the outset, making waves in NASCAR’s crowded field. The points, podiums, and front-row starts gathered by Preece and his crew give the team a foundation to pursue playoff qualification and to challenge more established organizations. Each race further cements the partnership between Preece and RFK, setting a high bar for other first-year teams and earning praise across the motorsports community.
As the 2025 season progresses, observers are eager to see whether Preece and RFK Racing can convert consistency into breakthrough wins. While a playoff berth remains in sight, their inspiring rise already showcases the unpredictable excitement and possibilities alive at NASCAR’s highest level.
