Ryan Preece
The Berlin driver found out Saturday morning that he will make his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start in the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 27.
Preece, the 2013 Whelen Modified Tour champion, has made three career starts in NASCAR’s second level XFINITY Series for Sprint Cup team owner Tommy Baldwin Jr.
Preece won the Whelen Modified Tour Call Before You Dig 150 Friday at Stafford Motor Speedway.
“I was talking to Tommy on Friday morning and I told him ‘You’ve got to put me in a Cup car at New Hampshire if I win at Stafford.’” Preece told RaceDayCT. “This morning I got a text message that he made a deal to make it happen.”
Preece said Baldwin purchased the No. 98 points spot from team owner Jay Robinson, which will give him a guaranteed starting spot in the event.
“It just caught me off guard,” Preece said. “It’s just awesome. I’ve just always thought it would be cool to start in a Cup car. Tommy is making it happen. It’s definitely an awesome feeling to know I’m doing that. I’ve got a lot of work to do to get ready but it’s going to be so cool to be able to get on that stage with those guys.”
We will be there to cheer you on. Happy happy go preece lighten…
Is it a full ride where he can run the whole thing or is it a start and park?
This young man is the real deal!!
So happy for you Ryan. Will be cheering you on!!!!
Congratulations. Go out there and kick some @ss and know that Doug will be there with you with the biggest smile on his face.
Good promotional move by NHMS/NASCAR. Will it lead to anything for Ryan? Not if you look at past New England Modified racers experiences in this “shark tank.”…
Start and Park.
Hate to say this, but how much money is he going to need to make this happen? Last year Preece supporters put up $40,000 for one race in the Xfinity Race at Loudon, NH and $60,000 to run the same series at Homestead, FL the last race of season. Both races had “lack luster” results, maybe mid pack cars at best. What does it cost to buy a Sprint Cup Series ride these days, $75,000 or $80,000??? Preece states he has alot of work to do to get ready, does that mean he has to find sponsors willing to put up alot of money for this race? Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a ride in any of the NASCAR top series cars or trucks, based on a drivers talent, it all comes down to how much you are willing to pay for the ride. I personally think it would be a total waste of money to go to Loudon in a Sprint Cup Series ride, and ride around at the back of the pack, but if that is what Preece wants to do, good luck with getting the funding. Just my opinion.
I hope it’s not a Start and Park.
There is already a princess in cup.
TC had a ride at Loudon in the Sprint Cup a few years back, he had to qualify to get into the race, which he did, but am certain he would tell you it was not one of his memorable moments. Don’t see this being much different, except this ride is going to cost someone big dollars!
Rick must be a pisscat fan.lol
No driver can pick their fans or control what they say, it appears kevin t is a Preece fan.lol
Not a fan of any one driver,just the series,just stirring the pot a little.
It appears Tommy Baldwin will field another car for Alex Bowman, so will Preece be getting the best of the best for this race?
congrats ryan,I know tommy from way back,freeport,islip,riverhead..I knew ray evernham from wall stadium in nj,look what he did for jeff gordon…do not doubt tommy can do the same with you…good luck..
I’ve been watching Ryan Preece ever since I started going and I just new one day he was gonna be in the Cup series, I’m so happy for Preece Lightning