Ryan Preece’s short-track pride was on full display during the recent NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, where the RFK Racing driver showcased his roots and delivered a strong performance in a pressure-packed playoff environment in Virginia. Despite not being in playoff contention himself, Preece’s determined drive on the half-mile short track underscored both his background and his ongoing improvement in NASCAR’s top series.
Preece’s Short-Track Background Shapes Martinsville Performance
The Martinsville Speedway race, known for its close-quarters racing and high stakes, saw six playoff drivers fighting for a Championship 4 spot, while non-playoff competitors like Ross Chastain and Ryan Preece added further intrigue. Preece, starting 18th, made strategic moves throughout the event and advanced to seventh by the end of Stage 2. On lap 355, he impressed the crowd by overtaking Chase Elliott for third place, ultimately finishing sixth after a late-race caution shuffled the field.
Ryan Preece’s history on short tracks is notable—prior to his Cup Series ascent, he competed extensively in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour between 2008 and 2015. During this period, Preece claimed the championship and four runner-up points finishes. Amassing 25 career wins on short tracks, Martinsville’s layout played to his strengths and offered him a chance to reconnect with where his racing journey began.
“I consider myself a short-track guy,”
– Ryan Preece, Driver
Reflecting on his homecoming to short tracks, Preece emphasized the expectations he sets for himself at these venues.
“When I come to a short track and I don’t run as well as I feel like I should for being what I come from, it’s frustrating. So, today I felt like I could demonstrate the tools that we learned racing at Short Tracks, and that was fun.”
– Ryan Preece, Driver
Brad Keselowski, who brought Preece to RFK Racing, watched his driver’s growth with appreciation. While the team has not seen Victory Lane in 2025, Preece’s progression offers a positive story amid a challenging season for the Ford-backed squad.
Losing Ground After a Dramatic Caution
The race’s turning point came with 18 laps remaining, when Carson Hocevar spun, triggering a late caution that altered the lead pack’s rhythm. Preece believed the stoppage diminished his chances for a top finish, as his No. 60 Ford was performing strongest on long runs, and track position became critical in the closing moments.
“I thought I was the best car in the long run. But it’s challenging because you’re dealing with traffic. So, anything you gain, sometimes you lose, and probably needed track position, you know, and I think that was the biggest thing. That car was phenomenal. Wish that caution didn’t come out; not sure how it came out.”
– Ryan Preece, Driver
This sentiment captures the highs and lows often experienced at short tracks, where late race developments can upend even the best-laid plans. Nevertheless, Preece’s drive stood out on a day when playoff implications loomed large, and competition was fierce from both championship hopefuls and spoilers alike.
A Look Back at Preece’s Modified Success and Emerging Talent
Preece’s expertise on short tracks was cultivated years before his Cup career, peaking with his Modified championship in 2013 at age 22 years, 11 months, and 25 days. The impact of his performance then—and his reputation for skillful handling of tight, technical circuits—continued this season. In 2024, some questioned Brad Keselowski’s decision to secure Preece for RFK Racing, especially as other Stewart-Haas Racing alumni found new opportunities. But Preece answered critics by notching his thirteenth top-ten finish, exceeding expectations and reinforcing his value as a driver developed in the crucible of the Modified Tour.
Preece’s influence also resonated with the next generation. Austin Beers, who just captured the 2025 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship at 22 years, seven months, and five days—beating Preece’s age record—spoke warmly of the driver he once watched play video games in the paddock with his father.
“Ryan was young running the Tour and just getting started, and my dad (Eric) was running the Tour. He’d hang out in the camper with me, and we’d play video games…I’ve looked up to Ryan my whole racing career and pretty much since I was 6 years old.”
– Austin Beers, 2025 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion
Preece showed his own support for Beers ahead of the championship weekend.
“If somebody was gonna beat that record for being the youngest champion, I’d want it to be him. I’m excited for him…to have that opportunity and hopefully go do it,”
– Ryan Preece, Driver
Future Impact of Preece’s Approach and Short-Track Culture
The admiration exchanged between Preece and Beers illustrates the continuing significance of short-track racing in forming elite drivers for NASCAR competition. Preece’s pride in his roots and his openness about the challenges and joys of racing on these circuits offer inspiration for aspiring racers. His journey also emphasizes that even as tracks, technology, and team circumstances shift, foundational skills honed in grassroots racing can still drive success at the sport’s highest levels.
With Martinsville serving as both a reminder of past accomplishments and a proving ground for the present, Preece’s focus on growth and performance positions him for further improvements. Even as RFK Racing searches for wins, Preece’s rise underscores the value of perseverance and the unique thrill of competing on the short tracks that define American stock car racing.
