Bubba Wallace‘s victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has dramatically impacted the NASCAR playoff landscape, leaving Ryan Preece with slim chances to advance despite his strong performance. The #60 Ford driver’s fourth-place finish at the Brickyard 400 was a solid effort, but Wallace’s win pushed Preece 42 points below the playoff cutline, complicating his path forward with only four races remaining in the regular season.
Ryan Preece started the race in 23rd position but showcased his competitiveness by leading 12 laps during the event. However, the Indianapolis triumph by his RFK Racing teammate Bubba Wallace reduced Preece’s margin significantly. Currently, Preece trails Chris Buescher—who holds the 16th and final playoff spot—by the same 42-point difference, making it a critical battle between the two teammates for a postseason berth.
The upcoming race at Iowa Speedway, scheduled for August 3, is pivotal for Preece’s playoff hopes. Although he previously won there in the Xfinity Series, his performance last year at Iowa saw him fall near the back of the pack. To secure a spot in the playoffs, Preece acknowledges that he must capture a win, as relying on misfortune for Buescher is not an option.
“I mean with how fast the 17 and the 48 are. I would say they’re gonna have to have some really bad luck and I don’t wish that on Chris, so we’re going have to win. Iowa is a track I feel I’d like to make a great memory at,” he said. —Ryan Preece, Driver
Ryan Preece’s Determined Approach to Overcoming Playoff Challenges
Despite the uphill struggle to qualify for the postseason, Ryan Preece remains calm and committed, focusing on continuous self-improvement and trusting the process. The Connecticut native has expressed an open-minded attitude toward adapting his strategy and mindset as he aims to return to his best form.
“I went in with an open mind of ‘I’m gonna work on me, I’m gonna trust the process and I’m gonna continue to push myself.’ And that comes with doing more listening than I do talking, having a different perspective going into the weekends, and really just having a big, open mind when it comes to a lot of things. I’m trying to definitely get back to the Ryan Preece that just drove race cars instead of just ones that I set up,” he said via CBS Sports. —Ryan Preece, Driver
This season, Preece has delivered what is arguably his strongest NASCAR campaign so far, achieving nine top-10 finishes and two top-5s, including a career-best third place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His average finish of 16 shows marked progress given his average starting position of 18, reflecting steady growth despite the playoff pressure.
Playoff Race Intensifies as Final Four Races Approach
With only four regular-season races remaining, every event becomes critical for Ryan Preece and Chris Buescher as they vie for the final playoff spot. Buescher currently holds 559 points, 42 ahead of Preece’s 517, maintaining a precarious grip on the 16th position in the standings. The tension between these RFK Racing teammates highlights the competitiveness at this stage of the season.
Wallace’s unexpected Indianapolis win has added a new layer of complexity to the playoff race, underscoring the dynamic nature of NASCAR’s postseason qualifications. How Preece performs at Iowa Speedway and the three races afterward will determine whether he can overcome the point deficit or if Buescher will secure his position.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Bubba Wallace ever win a race?
A. Wallace achieved his first Cup win at Talladega on October 4, 2021, when the race ended early because of rain.
Q. Has Bubba Wallace’s baby been born?
A. Bubba and Amanda posted together on Instagram to share the news of their baby’s birth. They included several pictures taken in the hospital. Their baby boy, born on September 29th, is named Becks Hayden Wallace.
Q. Has Bubba Wallace ever won a race?
A. Wallace’s third NASCAR Cup win marked his first victory in one of the series’ top four races: Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, and Southern 500. This win ended a 100-race losing stretch since his Kansas win in 2022 and secured him a playoff spot.
Q. Is Bubba Wallace a dad?
A. Bubba Wallace welcomed his first child last September and is enjoying fatherhood immensely.
