Ryan Preece captured an unforgettable win in Wednesday night’s Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, overcoming rapidly changing weather and a challenging starting position to secure a remarkable result. The event, which saw NASCAR Cup Series cars boosted with an extra 80 horsepower, tested drivers with unpredictable rain, sleet, and a record number of caution flags, making Preece’s victory even more impressive and positioning the Cook Out Clash as a showcase for both adaptability and skill.
Adapting to Challenging Conditions and Navigating the Field
Preece, a 35-year-old driver for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, started 18th among 23 competitors after drawing an early slot during practice and qualifying. The initial half of the race was run on slick tires, where the new left-side tires from Goodyear helped Preece steadily climb into ninth place by the race’s halfway mark, set at 100 laps.
The race ambiance shifted dramatically during the intermission, as a sudden mix of rain and sleet blanketed the garage area, forcing NASCAR officials to declare wet race conditions and mandate treaded wet-weather tires for the second portion of the event. This pivotal moment set the stage for Preece to make a decisive charge up the leaderboard after a caution on Lap 121 slowed the field for the seventh time that evening. By Lap 138, amidst the eighth of a record 17 cautions—this one triggered by an incident between Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney—Preece had advanced to fourth place.
As conditions kept evolving, with a flurry of five cautions across six laps and only green-flag laps adding to the race total, Preece maneuvered his No. 60 Ford into second, just behind New Zealand’s Shane van Gisbergen, known for his wet-weather racing expertise. As the track began to dry, Preece made his move on Lap 156, overtaking Van Gisbergen for the lead and bravely defending that position through four more restarts on his way to the checkered flag.
My hat is off to Goodyear,
Ryan Preece said during his winner’s press conference.
It wasn’t our traditional soft tire. It was a rain tire. I still feel between them, as well as the increase in horsepower today on a quarter-mile with the gear that we’re running, you could feel it. There were multiple times I couldn’t go wide-open throttle. That’s saying something.
Significance of the Win for Preece and RFK Racing
This victory marks a notable milestone for Preece, who has not yet claimed a points-paying Cup Series race. Historically, only a select few drivers—such as NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon and veteran Denny Hamlin—have won the Clash before claiming a Cup Series points victory, emphasizing the prestige of Preece’s accomplishment. Gordon later amassed 93 wins and four championships, while Hamlin’s career tally continues to grow at 60 victories.
The triumph also carries deep resonance for RFK Racing, coming in the aftermath of a tragic plane crash in December that claimed the lives of former RFK driver Greg Biffle, his family, and three others. Biffle’s legacy extends beyond the track, having been recognized for his significant rescue work following Hurricane Helene in 2024. The organization is determined to honor his memory moving forward.
We had a meeting with the drivers and crew chiefs and myself,
said team president Chip Bowers.
“We talked about being bold, aggressive, and committed, the acronym meaning we’re going to get back to the front. We do it with heavy hearts. We do it with Greg and his family in our hearts, in our minds. It’s been a tough few months for us, right? We’ve had a little bit of tragedy to deal with.
It’s a real testament to the family atmosphere that we have in our organization and the collective commitment to be ourselves and be committed to one another, and Ryan exemplifies that.
Weather Proves a Wildcard, but Tradition Endures
Despite substantial interruptions caused by two weather-related postponements and a wintry mix impacting race day, NASCAR remained determined to see the Cook Out Clash through to its completion. The snowstorm that swept through Winston-Salem, while disruptive, was a rare occurrence according to event officials and many in the racing community. Calls to permanently relocate the Clash to warmer locations were tempered by reminders that inclement weather can impact any venue, as shown when heavy rains forced the 2024 Clash in Los Angeles to be run a day early in the Coliseum.
This year’s Cook Out Clash ultimately highlighted the resilience of drivers, teams, and organizers, while solidifying Ryan Preece’s stature as a formidable contender in the NASCAR Cup Series, especially in challenging circumstances. The combination of adverse weather, strategic decisions, emotional stakes, and a fiercely competitive field ensured that Bowman Gray Stadium’s latest chapter will be remembered as one of both perseverance and triumph.
