Ryan Preece, driving for Roush-Fenway-Keselowski Racing, achieved his first unofficial Cup Series win at Bowman Gray, but his triumph was clouded by harsh weather conditions. The race, which took place during a historic snowfall in Winston-Salem, has prompted controversy over NASCAR’s decision to proceed despite safety concerns, placing Ryan Preece Bowman Gray weather at the center of debate.
Snow and Ice Challenge the Bowman Gray Event
Winter storms blanketed Bowman Gray and its surroundings with snow, making the racing environment treacherous in the days leading up to the main event. Although the 200-lap race was originally planned for an earlier date, ongoing inclement weather forced NASCAR to reschedule it twice, finally happening on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The persistent winter conditions set an uneasy stage for competitors and fans alike.
Before the green flag dropped, NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass relayed a dire outlook: the short track temperature was forecast to drop to 32°F, with a 70% chance of snow or rain throughout race day. The situation was not lost on those within the teams, as confirmed by a crew chief’s blunt assessment:
“We are two degrees from freezing.”
As the night wore on and the race progressed under such wintry conditions, Ryan Preece expressed frustration over the circumstances facing everyone at the track. His unfiltered team radio message captured the tension:
“Yeah. This makes f**king NO sense. My hope is that somebody with common sense is listening outside of this team.”
Despite the adversity, Preece qualified for the main event and clocked a best lap time of 14.234 seconds, starting eighteenth in a field of 23. As the laps wound down, Preece surged forward to lead and ultimately secure the clutch victory for RFK Racing—though debate around the race’s weather management continued to swirl.
Preece’s Path to Success Amid Career Milestones
Ryan Preece’s recent results indicate both grit and determination, underscoring his recovery from challenging race starts and less favorable conditions. In March 2025, he notched his best Cup Series finish in six years at the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube, showcasing a strong performance with the #60 Ford Mustang for RFK Racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. After qualifying twelfth, he navigated early setbacks, rebounded strongly in the second stage, and earned a well-fought third-place finish.
Reflecting on his progress and the solidarity within his team, Preece openly told reporters:
“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 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
The race in Las Vegas saw Wood Brothers Racing’s Josh Berry clinch his own career-first win, with Daniel Suarez—formerly of Trackhouse Racing—also earning a podium spot as runner-up.
What Preece’s Stand Means for NASCAR and the Future
Ryan Preece’s candid criticism of NASCAR’s choice to run the Bowman Gray event despite icy, hazardous weather has ignited conversations across the sport. The debate resonates not just within his own team but throughout NASCAR’s garage and fan base, focusing attention on the balance between competition and safety. As historic winters become more frequent and extreme, NASCAR may be pressed to review scheduling and contingency plans to safeguard drivers and teams.
Preece’s achievements in these difficult conditions, especially his victory at Bowman Gray and continued strong performances, reinforce both his determination and the resilience of RFK Racing. The attention drawn by these events may spur NASCAR leadership to consider new weather policies and responses in future seasons.
Ryan Preece crew chief Derrick Finley: "We are two degrees from freezing."
Ryan Preece: "Yeah. This makes fucking NO sense. My hope is that somebody with common sense is listening outside of this team."
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 5, 2026
