Ryan Preece became the Ryan Preece NASCAR Clash winner on Wednesday night at the historic Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, securing his first career win at the NASCAR Cup Series level. The victory marks the 11th time Ford has triumphed in the exhibition Clash, providing substantial momentum for both Preece and RFK Racing as the 2026 NASCAR season approaches.
The Cook Out Clash, the unofficial opening race of the new season, was originally scheduled for Sunday but moved to Wednesday due to severe winter weather. The format for the event was altered as a result, with heat races canceled and the starting field set through qualifying, last season’s point standings, and a high-pressure Last Chance Qualifier. In the end, twenty-three drivers lined up to battle for the win at the fabled quarter-mile circuit.
Race Day Adjustments and Standout Performances
Qualifying played a crucial role with Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano securing their starting positions. Josh Berry and Austin Cindric advanced after finishing at the front in the Last Chance Qualifier, representing Wood Brothers Racing and Team Penske respectively. The unpredictable weather continued to affect the event as a mid-race downpour triggered a red flag at Lap 102, forcing teams to fit rain tires, further testing their adaptability and strategy.
With 35 laps to go, Preece emerged at the front in his No. 60 Ford, taking full advantage of restarts and tactical racing. A total of 17 cautions—a record for the Clash—made for an intense contest of endurance and focus, with Preece leading 46 of the 200 laps. The race’s tension was captured by Preece’s own words:
“I don’t even know what to say. It’s been a long road. And it’s the Clash but man, it’s just been years and years of grinding. Just super thankful for Brad Keselowski, all our partners, Jack Roush. Two years ago, I didn’t think I was going to have a job. I thought I was going back to Connecticut. Man, I’m just super, super, super emotional. We had a really good car, and I felt like we were fighting adversity all day. Trying to come from the back, we got a lot of good spots. When we were putting rain tires on, man, this is as much of a mental game as anything, and I felt pretty beat up. We had a couple of restarts go our way, and before you know it, you’re in the front two rows. Then the claws just come out. I’m speechless. I’ve got to thank Ford, Ford Racing and everybody there with all the support they give us. As far as emotions go, when you work as hard as I have, I hate talking about it because I hate getting emotional about it, but it’s not just the Clash – winning means everything to me. I’ve put a lot into it,”
commented Preece.
Giving further credit to the RFK Racing team, Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines, stated:
“Congratulations to Jack, Brad, Derrick, Ryan, and everyone at RFK Racing on the Clash win at Bowman Gray,”
said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines.
“Starting the year with a win gives us great momentum as we head into the 2026 season, and it’s a proud moment for everyone at Roush Yates Engines and Ford Racing.”
– Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines
Strong Finishes and Looking Ahead to Daytona
The challenging evening at Bowman Gray saw Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney cross the line in third place, while Chris Buescher from RFK Racing took eighth. Notably, the teams faced a refueling opportunity at Lap 166 during another caution, but were prohibited from swapping tires or making further adjustments, heightening the strategic complexity late in the race.
With the Clash complete, attention now shifts to Daytona Beach, Florida, where the NASCAR Cup Series will inaugurate the official 2026 season at Daytona International Speedway. The momentum and emotion of Ryan Preece’s breakthrough as the Ryan Preece NASCAR Clash winner set a powerful tone, providing hope and excitement for the upcoming season among drivers, teams, and fans alike.
