Ryan Preece wins New Smyrna’s 60-lap Tour Type Modified feature, adding another highlight to his impressive week, just days after capturing the NASCAR Cup Series Cookout Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Racing at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing on Tuesday night, Preece surged ahead in the closing laps at New Smyrna Speedway, showcasing his dominance in the event.
Preece’s Triumphant Return to Modified Racing
Following his celebrated Cup Series victory last Wednesday, Ryan Preece returned to his roots by competing in the Tour Type Modified feature. Facing intense competition, he managed to outpace Patrick Emerling during the final segment of the race, ultimately clinching first place. This back-to-back stretch highlights Preece’s versatility on different tracks and vehicles, reinforcing his standing as a formidable race driver across multiple series.
“Just having a lot of fun,”
Preece said.
“These past seven days have been a lot of fun, racing with my dad, racing with my friends. To go from Bowman Gray, drive down here, race the Late Model and then race this Modified and get back into victory lane, it was really cool. For years I’ve been chasing after that field and I see the 60 car of Matt Hirschman and I feel like I wish he was here racing because I have something that could race with him. Maybe next year we can get that rivalry going again.”
– Ryan Preece, driver
Race Developments and Key Moments
The Tuesday race was part of five consecutive nights of Tour Type Modified competition at New Smyrna, with Paulie Hartwig III having picked up the initial feature win. Preece’s fierce charge began as Tyler Rypkema jumped ahead on the opening lap and maintained the lead through an early caution triggered by Amy Catalano’s incident. During this caution, Hartwig’s crew spent valuable time on pit road investigating a leak.
After the race resumed, Rypkema continued to fend off Preece, but the momentum shifted on lap 18 when Preece executed a decisive move into turn three, seizing the lead. Ronnie Williams followed, moving past Rypkema into second place. The competition was further disrupted by a second caution on lap 27 after Stephen Kopcik, running in ninth, spun in turn three. When the green flag dropped again, Preece quickly pulled ahead of both Williams and Emerling, but Williams’ car soon faltered, forcing him out of the contest.
By the 45th lap, Preece had established a comfortable margin, nearly three-quarters of a second ahead of Emerling, with Jimmy Blewett holding down third place.
Podium Finishers Reflect on Race Night
Patrick Emerling, who rebounded from motor trouble that sidelined him from Monday’s race, secured second place. He expressed gratitude for his team after the strong performance:
“Hats off to the USNEPower 1 team,”
Emerling said.
“I’d like to thank them for the opportunity to come race here, Team owner David Miller] and the whole USNEPower team. We had a good car. [Preece] was really flying. We have a little bit to go.”
– Patrick Emerling, driver
Jimmy Blewett built on his sixth-place finish the previous night to finish third, reflecting on the challenges his team faced:
“We just missed it a little bit on the tires tonight,”
Blewett said.
“We had the stagger open up on us where last night it closed when I was able to come from the back to the front. Top three finish for us, it’s basically a fresh team. … This car we have no notebook for. … We’re working hard at it. We’re just going to podium to death. If we can stay up front the rest of the week we’ve got a solid shot at taking him this points championship.”
– Jimmy Blewett, driver
Significance of the Win and What’s Ahead
This victory at New Smyrna Speedway marks another impressive achievement for Ryan Preece in a week filled with standout performances. Returning to his short track origins and securing the Modified feature win underlines his adaptability and passion for racing. The ongoing World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing promises further excitement, with several nights of competition still ahead and drivers like Preece, Emerling, and Blewett chasing points and podiums. The racing community at New Smyrna continues to showcase rising talent and seasoned veterans, all vying for victory lane glory.
