After six full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series, Ryan Preece has finally earned the title Cup Series winner, at least unofficially.
And fittingly it came on a track best known for Modified racing.
Preece a former Whelen Modified Tour champion and regular at Stafford Speedway, Thompson Speedway and Riverhead Raceway, scored his first career Cup Series victory in Wednesday’s Cookout Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. The event is a non-points Cup Series exhibition race.
“I don’t even know what to say,” said Preece, a Berlin native. “To be honest with you, it’s been a fucking long road. The Clash, but man, it’s been years and years of grinding. I’m just super thankful for Brad Keselowski, Kroger, Coca-Cola, all our partners. … Jack Roush, Fenway Group.
“Two years ago I didn’t know if I was going to have a job. I thought I was going back to Connecticut. And I’m just super emotional.”
Preece was kicking off his second season RFK Racing Cup Series stable on Wednesday.
Wednesday marked the second consecutive year the event was hosted at the historic quarter-mile Bowman Gray Stadium. The event was originally scheduled for Sunday evening but was postponed due to a historic weekend snowstorm in the Carolinas.
The Cup Series officially kicks off with the running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 15.
Preece ran full-time in the Cup Series for JTG Daugherty Racing from 2019-2021. He ran for Stewart-Haas Racing from 2023-2024.
Preece’s best finish in the Cup Series before Wednesday was third place, which he had done twice.
“I’m just ah, I’m speechless man,” Preece said. “That last two laps, I’m speechless.”
Preece took the lead for the first time on a lap 144 restart of the 200-lap feature. He lost the lead to Shane van Gisbergen on another restart, but then fought back to overtake van Gisbergen on lap 158. He never trailed again and pulled away from second place finisher William Byron over the final 10 laps. Ryan Blaney was third.
“I’m a quarter-mile killer,” Preece said. “When it comes to this style of racing it’s what I grew up doing. I used to drive for a guy, Eddie Partridge, and he owned Riverhead Raceway, and I was racing for Bill Park and it’s an absolute grind. The moment to get here, it’s a lead up to the year and it’s not a points race, but winning means everything. Man, I’m just speechless.”
Preece is a former winner in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly Nationwide Series), the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the NASCAR Whelen Modifed Tour, the NASCAR ARCA Menards West Series and the former NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.
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Congratulations to Ryan, Nascar should be embarrassed the clash was a disaster!!!
Ryan was swearing up a storm all night on the radio. (with every right too) Derrick just kept saying “I KNOW, I KNOW. Then Derrrick said “we’ll just celebrate later” Who Knew?
First race, rust, dust and spider webs, add in some rain, sleet and snow, and you have a recipe for what we got.
That was crazy. Reminds me of when the Grand National cars, HUGE Chargers, Torinos etc. ran on Islip Speedway’s track. Insane.
Perhaps the most idiotic thing to happen was when FOX went to the Masked Singer show. I thought I accidentally changed the channel. No, it was for real. That had to be contractually pre-agreed and approved by NASCAR. That’s NASCAR for you!!! The more things change, the more they stay the same.
YEAH!!! The perfect storm, a little sno, a little rain, and a little ice on a little 1/4 mile track, and the Connecticut Kid gets it done!!
Kinda like the “Heidi” bowl
Ah yes the Heidi game, Jets vs.Raiders and the sudden switch to Heidi!!
The whole thing seemed like a debacle and any average person that may have put it on will probably never watch racing again.
Finally!
And I love you Ryan, and I get the emotions.
But you gotta cool the f bombs on the interviews.
I know, I get it, but the sponsors wince.
But I get it. Good win.
Now, go after those points races!
I agree ,no need for the f bombs on tv
I have been a BIG cheerleader for Ryan for many many years as you guys & gals know, along with many of you . We wished and hoped for a miracle Win in those early years.. But the Truth is this… You have to be in the right car with the right crew & owner’s to even have a chance at a Win…At RFK Ryan finally has all the pieces in the right place to Win this year … You could see it building last year, they we improving every week into the top 10.. Now with a year in the books, They will get more Wins and finish in the top 16 and make the new format Chase Playoffs… Congratulations Ryan , you did everything in your power to get to this point, and now you can really shine in Cup .. You did grind , but it all paid off and all those at RFK took notice of the ” new Team ” at RFK Winning Big …!! Go out and get it done..!!
Also been following “PREECE LIGHTING’ for a long time, if I understand this right , he should be driving tonight in a super late model and also modified races at New Smyrna
Scott;
Thank you for clarifying that, as I had no idea what that referred to!
Fs1 must have been bombarded with people who could not find their masked singer. So of course, racing gets bumped. And it sucks if you are dvr’ing it to watch later as I was. Racing still tge poor stepchild even when scheduled. I can’t blame Nascar for that, as I think that was all Fox.
Doug, if you are out there, I hope you are ok. And if you are, you must be as excited as I am to see our Pats in the super bowl. Nobody giving them much of a chance, but hey, I never thought they would have anywhere near the success they have had so far.
Yeah, looks like preece in SLM and Mod at NS.
He’s gonna be a tired puppy at Daytona if nothing else when he gets there!
Good luck!
Yes , In regards to Doug , If you’re out there and reading this I hope your ok… If so I hope you can post something to let US know your good.. Miss the Pick’ems and the fun … God Bless..
Thanks for the mention fellas, I am indeed in fine fettle, more so having enjoyed a magic carpet ride of a season the Patriots delivered as I’m sure you are. The Super Bowl result not ideal but does not tarnish the turn around and over achievement of the team this just completed season.
While I can’t support RaceDayCt having experienced a philosophical rupture with Mr. Courchesne I none the less wish everyone that treads the virtual halls of the publication the best. Especially the insights of the good guys that participated in our humble contests.
To All:
Just to be clear on the mentioned “philosophical rupture” and before anyone starts asking questions about what that refers to, as I understand it to be, Doug decided to leave because he didn’t like that I was allowing comments from another regular commenter that were antagonizing and/or critical of his comments.
Hi Doug !!!!!!
Keep warm.
❄️ ❄️ 👋 👋 ❄️ ❄️ 👋 👋 ❄️ ❄️ 👋 👋 ❄️ ❄️ 👋 👋
No sides here.
I’m just glad to hear that you, (and anyone else on this site that contributes) hopefully, is in good health. Thats #1. Everything else is bs.
Thanks for weighing in.
And yes, Pats waaay exceeded my expectations. A very successful season. I think campbell will be ok Doug (arm legnth stuff is not as important. He’s gotta get his feet planted and set to push back. Cant be going backwards when a defender is coming at you from the line)
And as cool as Maye was leading up to super bowl, gee whiz. 23 years old, 2nd year in, and he’s in the big dance. Must have had some effect on his mindset, dont care what anyone says! All good things to look forward to for next year! Geez, I really did miss the mix of football and race talk. Take care Doug.
Thanks for the good report.. Doug .. This site has seemed to me, to get much better every year as far as the backbiting and back and forth that used to be an everyday thing… With the Pick’ems I believe everyone seemed to enjoy the friendly competitions.. I am very happy that the RDCT is here for us to get information and we are able to listen to the Excellent QuickCasts & able to post comments is great too…Hopefully Shawn can make it a Profitable Business & keep it Alive for years to come…