Ryan Preece’s recent win in the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium has ignited intense excitement among NASCAR fans, positioning him as a name to watch at the upcoming Daytona 500. The Ryan Preece Bowman Gray victory stands out not only for the impressive drive but also for the emotional impact on both the driver and his supporters as he begins the 2026 season with RFK Racing.
A Triumphant Start to the Season Amid Harsh Conditions
Preece secured his exhibition win in Winston-Salem on Wednesday night, navigating freezing temperatures, rain, sleet, and 17 cautions during the Cook Out Clash. Just months after nearly losing his place in the Cup Series following Stewart-Haas Racing’s closure, he seized his opportunity with RFK Racing’s No. 60 Ford. The significance of the victory runs deep, as Bowman Gray is the same venue where Preece celebrated a Whelen Modified Tour win in 2013, making the victory a remarkable return to his roots.
After the final lap, Preece captured the moment with a celebratory Victory Lane photo on social media, declaring,
“Snow, rain, ice, wet, dry. Doesn’t matter!! The Clash baby!!! I’m speechless 🏆”
— Ryan Preece, RFK Racing driver
Fans Rally Behind Preece After Gritty Performance
Preece’s climb from late model racing to sporting one of NASCAR’s most competitive seats has long been followed by passionate fans, who reacted emotionally across social media after his latest triumph. With the Daytona 500 approaching on February 14, the excitement around his potential victory has only grown. Fan messages captured this new wave of optimism:
“You winning that 500 next week, I just know it.”
— fan
“Good Job Big Dawg…. Now go do the same thing at Daytona!”
— fan
“Now PLEASE keep it on the rubber Sunday!!”
— fan
“Multi-win season incoming !! It’s YOUR TIME!!”
— fan
“Bro is 1000% gonna win a race or two this season.”
— fan
Though the Clash victory does not add points toward the Cup Series standings, it delivered a clear message to competitors and onlookers: Preece is starting his seventh full-time Cup season on a powerful note, bringing renewed optimism and focus to his racing campaign.
Mastering the Wet and Wild Bowman Gray Clash
Qualifying 18th, Preece started his run with what he described as a tough draw, as he was among the first group to set times. The 200-lap exhibition featured long early green flag periods until the notorious North Carolina weather upended the race. Downpours of rain and sleet forced drivers and teams to adapt, including a midrace switch to wet-weather tires on the tight quarter-mile oval.
Despite radioing his frustration about the unpredictable conditions, Preece steadily moved through the pack. After reaching lap 102, the race grew even wilder, with a series of 13 cautions in the remaining laps. Preece, however, maintained control up front during the closing stages and sealed the victory after the final restart. Speaking afterward, he reflected on his journey and the challenges overcome:
“I don’t even know what to say. To be honest with you, it’s been a long road. It’s The Clash, but, man, it’s been years and years of grinding… Two years ago, I didn’t think I was going to have a job. I thought I was going back to Connecticut.”
— Ryan Preece, RFK Racing driver
Paying Tribute and Building Momentum for Daytona
The Bowman Gray win also carried added emotional weight for Preece’s new RFK Racing team, earning the No. 60 crew their first NASCAR triumph. The car’s paint scheme included tribute elements recognizing the storied history of the No. 60, and fans also referenced the memory of former champion Greg Biffle, who died in a recent plane crash. For Preece and his supporters, the Clash win was more than a race; it was a significant personal and team milestone.
With the momentum of the Ryan Preece Bowman Gray victory and strong fan support, Preece emerges as an energized contender ahead of the Daytona 500. The next chapter unfolds on February 14, where expectations run high that this breakthrough performance could be a springboard for further success in the 2026 NASCAR season.
Snow, rain, ice, wet, dry. Doesn’t matter!!
The Clash baby!!! I’m speechless 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mropLzIVqA
— Ryan Preece (@RyanPreece_) February 5, 2026
