On Wednesday night at Bowman Gray Stadium, Ryan Preece earned his inaugural NASCAR Cup Series win by outlasting a chaotic race marked by 17 cautions. The event, known as the Cook Out Clash, took place at the venue nicknamed the Madhouse due to its notoriously tight corners. Preece dominated by leading a total of 46 laps, giving him a breakthrough moment despite the victory not counting toward official points standings.
The Clash is an exhibition race, meaning wins here do not add to a driver’s official NASCAR statistics. Still, for Preece, who had never won a points-paying race in 214 Cup starts, this achievement held deep significance. His team owner, Brad Keselowski, expressed his pride on social media, celebrating the driver’s success.
“Man that was Awesome! Great job @RFKracing and @RyanPreece.”
Ryan Preece is currently in his second season piloting the No. 60 car for RFK Racing, following a stint with Stewart-Haas Racing from 2022 through 2024. While with Stewart-Haas, Preece recorded seven top-10 finishes. His career also includes time driving for Hyak Motorsports (previously JTG Daugherty Racing) and Joe Gibbs Racing, showing experience across several prominent teams in the sport.
“We had a really good car,” Ryan Preece said after the victory. “This is as much of a mental game as it is anything. We had a couple restarts go our way. It’s been years and years of grinding. I’m super thankful for Brad Keselowski and all our partners.”
This win sets a positive tone for Preece as he prepares for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, giving him momentum heading into the official points races.
Ryan Preece Reflects on Two Harrowing Crashes at Daytona Speedways
Ryan Preece has endured two frightening crashes at the famed Daytona International Speedway, both underscoring the dangers drivers face on the track. During NASCAR’s second visit to Daytona in the 2023 season, Preece’s Ford flipped multiple times after becoming airborne across the grass in a terrifying accident. His car rolled about a dozen times before righting itself, and while he was hospitalized briefly, Preece was fortunately cleared without major injury. The grass section where the crash occurred was later paved by NASCAR officials to improve safety.
In a separate incident during the previous year’s Daytona 500, Preece was pushed by Christopher Bell off the racing surface and into the side wall. The impact caused Preece’s car to flip upside down and become airborne before crashing back to the ground. These violent incidents profoundly affected Preece and demonstrated the ongoing risk to drivers despite safety advancements.
“When the car took off like that, all I thought about was my daughter,” Preece said after escaping the crash. “I’m lucky I got to walk away, but we’re getting closer and closer to someone not being able to.”
“When it finally does get someone, I don’t want it to be me. I’ve got a two-year-old daughter; just like a lot of us. We have families. Something needs to be done cause cars lifting off the ground like that felt honestly worse than Daytona in ’23,”
he added.
Preece’s sincere comments highlight the emotional toll such crashes take on drivers and their families, pressing the need for further safety enhancements in the sport.
Upcoming Daytona 500 Appearance and Broadcast Details
Following his triumphant run in the Cook Out Clash, Ryan Preece is set to compete in the 68th running of the iconic Daytona 500. Fans will be able to watch him race live on FOX television starting at 2:30 pm ET. Additionally, live radio coverage will be available via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, ensuring extensive access for those following the event.
The Daytona 500 is one of NASCAR’s most prestigious and widely anticipated races, serving as a critical event for drivers to establish their seasons. For Preece, this represents another opportunity to prove his capabilities on one of motorsport’s grandest stages.
Brad Keselowski’s Role and Support in Ryan Preece’s Journey
Brad Keselowski, owner of RFK Racing, has been a pillar of support for Ryan Preece as he seeks to elevate his NASCAR career. Keselowski’s encouragement following the recent win illustrated his belief in Preece’s talent and perseverance. As both a former NASCAR champion and team owner, Keselowski’s endorsement carries weight within the industry and helps boost Preece’s profile.
Preece’s comment after the Race highlighted the importance of Keselowski and the team’s partners in their continued effort toward success:
“I’m super thankful for Brad Keselowski and all our partners.”
This dynamic between team owner and driver is crucial as they face the intense competition and challenges of the NASCAR Cup Series.
Broader Safety Concerns and the Sport’s Future
Ryan Preece’s harrowing crashes have sparked conversations about safety in NASCAR, underscoring the urgent need to prevent cars from becoming airborne during accidents. His reflections emphasize the personal stakes for drivers and their families, reminding fans that behind the sport’s excitement are real human risks.
As NASCAR looks to the 2026 season, these incidents may prompt further safety innovations aimed at protecting drivers during high-speed collisions. The sport’s governing bodies and teams face growing pressure to enhance technology and track conditions to minimize the chances of such harrowing events happening again.
Brad Keselowski’s support and Ryan Preece’s breakthrough performance could mark the beginning of a new chapter for RFK Racing. Together, they appear ready to face the challenge of refining performance while prioritizing safety, all under the bright lights and intense pressures of NASCAR’s premier events.
Man that was Awesome!
Great job @RFKracing and @RyanPreece_ https://t.co/9l6yeojoDM
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) February 5, 2026
