Ryan Preece participated in a Goodyear tire test at Bristol Motor Speedway last Thursday, as NASCAR and its manufacturers evaluated new setups ahead of future Cup Series races at the short track. The Ryan Preece Bristol tire test is part of preparations for upcoming events, with teams seeking to improve race conditions and performance when they return in 2026.
Drivers Put New Tires and 750-HP Package to the Test at Bristol
On the first day of testing at Bristol Motor Speedway, representatives from Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota, including Bubba Wallace for 23XI Racing and Alex Bowman for Hendrick Motorsports, joined Ryan Preece on the track. Goodyear and NASCAR organized the test to help teams hone in on an optimal tire compound for the 0.533-mile oval, aiming to ensure teams are well-prepared for the two Cup Series stops scheduled there next season, the first of which is set for April 12, 2026.
The focus for teams during the test was to find a balance with tire fall-off, which had been a concern following the previous event at Bristol, the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Night Race. Excessive wear had challenged drivers, prompting the search for a more stable, temperature-neutral setup. To that end, the session also included runs with a new 750-horsepower package, which is designed for road courses and short tracks less than 1.5 miles long for the 2026 season.
Preece, piloting the No. 60 Ford Mustang for RFK Racing, completed 500 laps during the test and shared his impressions of how the day went.
“We just got done testing here at Bristol Motor Speedway. I feel like I did 500 laps. It was pretty cold where we were, but yeah, all done for Day 1 at Bristol. Feel like finding the right direction, so, excited about it.”
—Ryan Preece, RFK Racing
The data and observations from Preece, Alex Bowman, and Bubba Wallace, along with the feedback from the Goodyear team, are expected to influence future tire selections and race setups.
Preece Reflects on 2025 Season with RFK Racing and Looks Ahead
Ryan Preece recently completed his first season as one of RFK Racing’s three full-time drivers, following his move from Stewart-Haas Racing, where he drove the No. 41 car in 2024. This year, the North Carolina-based driver finished 18th in the Cup Series championship points standings, recording three finishes inside the top five and 14 top-10 results.
RFK Racing finished the 2025 season with strong performances—Brad Keselowski secured a runner-up position at Phoenix, while Preece crossed the line in ninth. Teammate Chris Buescher took twelfth in the 38-car field. However, despite their efforts, the team missed out on playoff contention this year, a fact that weighed heavily on both drivers and crew members. Reflecting on the season’s results and the team’s potential, Preece stated:
“We’re all frustrated we didn’t make the playoffs, but there’s a ton of potential between all three of us, and I’m excited for that. For me, it was probably a change in mindset as well as a great group of people that came together and are working on accomplishing the goal.”
—Ryan Preece, RFK Racing
What Comes Next for Preece and RFK Racing
The next key date for Ryan Preece is February 15, 2026, when he will join the field for the 68th running of the Daytona 500, opening the NASCAR Cup Series points season. This crown jewel event, which will be broadcast live on FOX Sports, marks a chance for Preece and RFK Racing to capitalize on the momentum built during testing and to continue refining their championship aspirations.
As preparations continue, insights from the Bristol tire test will play a significant role in shaping team strategies across multiple manufacturers. With NASCAR, Goodyear, and teams like RFK Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and 23XI Racing all invested in optimizing performance, the learnings from Bristol are poised to influence competition and tire management for the upcoming Cup Series campaign.
Encouraging words from Ryan Preece, who took part in a Goodyear tire test at Bristol today, with increased horsepower (and possible aero changes). Preece says after 500 laps, he feels they are going in the right direction with changes. #NASCAR https://t.co/s1jTLjSFZT
— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) November 12, 2025
