The start of the 2026 NASCAR season at Bowman Gray Stadium was marked by a wave of emotions and dramatic turns, as Ryan Preece clinched a historic RFK Racing landmark NASCAR victory. On a night filled with anticipation and the echoes of recent upheavals in the sport, the 35-year-old driver achieved his first-ever Cup Series win and brought RFK Racing its first trophy in more than a year.
Before the engines roared, the atmosphere was thick with the memory of significant events leading up to the Clash, from the resolution of a major charter lawsuit to personal and collective tragedies that cast their shadows over the racing community. But all eyes were on the track as Preece, who debuted in the Cup Series in 2015 but had yet to taste victory, captured the spotlight in dramatic fashion.
Preece Overcomes the Odds in a Memorable Clash
Ryan Preece’s journey to this win was nothing short of extraordinary. Entering the race from the 18th position in a field of 23, few considered the RFK Racing driver a serious contender for the milestone. However, piloting the No. 60 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, he steadily carved his path through the competition at the season opener, defying pre-race expectations and making this edition of the Clash stand out in NASCAR’s history books.
After the checkered flag waved, Preece stepped out of his car, visibly overwhelmed. Tears streamed down his face as the weight of years spent striving for this moment came to the forefront. Not only had he delivered for himself, but he also wrote a new chapter for his team, RFK Racing, and for those who believed in his resilience amid uncertainty about his racing future.
“I don’t even know what to say. To be honest with you, it’s been a long road and to you know, it’s the Clash and but man, it’s just been years and years of grinding. Just super thankful for Brad Keselowski…. and you know, Jack Roush, the Fenway Group. Two years ago, I didn’t. I didn’t think I was going to have a job. I thought I was going back to Connecticut. I’m just super, super emotional.”
– Ryan Preece, Driver
RFK Racing’s Victory Holds Deeper Significance
This triumph served as a dual milestone. Not only did Ryan Preece achieve a personal best by reaching NASCAR’s Victory Lane for the first time in his Cup career, but it also marked a much-needed resurgence for RFK Racing, ending a year-long drought for the team.
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing’s co-owner, shared his pride and excitement following Preece’s performance. Unable to attend due to recovering from a skiing accident, Keselowski made his appreciation known on social media, applauding Preece and the crew for their perseverance and competitive spirit.
The win resonated beyond just the team, serving as a tribute to Greg Biffle, the longtime RFK Racing and No. 60 car icon who recently passed away in a tragic plane crash. The moment added emotional gravity to the celebration, underscoring connections between past heroes and today’s achievements.
Historic Company for Preece in NASCAR Lore
Ryan Preece’s victory also placed him among an elite group in the sport’s history. He became only the third driver to claim a Clash win before earning a points-paying Cup Series victory—a feat previously accomplished by Jeff Gordon in 1994 and Denny Hamlin in 2006. This accomplishment only adds to the significance of his breakthrough moment.
This dramatic start to the 2026 NASCAR season at Bowman Gray Stadium, punctuated by Preece’s heartfelt tears and testimony to perseverance, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of racers and teams like RFK Racing. As the racing calendar unfolds, the energy and emotion ignited by this landmark win promise to fuel excitement and fresh narratives across the year.
Pure emotion from Ryan Preece after winning the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. pic.twitter.com/Syn887YkE7
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 5, 2026
