NASCAR driver Ryan Preece has recently voiced a strong and urgent call for solutions to prevent airborne crashes after experiencing two terrifying incidents at Daytona. These incidents, particularly during the Daytona 500 events, have heightened concerns over the safety of NASCAR’s current generation of cars. With Daytona’s legendary track being the backdrop for these dramatic events, Preece’s near-misses with serious injury underscore the immediate need for enhanced safety measures, an issue that grows more critical as the sport evolves.
Preece’s most recent encounter occurred late in the 2025 Daytona 500, where a collision with a spinning car careened his vehicle into a surreal wheelie before flipping completely. Despite escaping these occurrences with only minor injuries, Preece’s firsthand experience leaves him and the racing community deeply concerned about potential future fatalities if these airborne accidents aren’t addressed. He candidly shared his perspective on this pressing matter, remarking, “I’m not too sure what can be done. I’m not an aeronautical engineer, but I have lived through it twice. I just hope that a solution comes sooner than later.”
Following Preece’s first airborne crash at Daytona in 2023, NASCAR and Daytona officials promptly removed grass from certain areas of the speedway, believing it exacerbated the crash’s severity. However, the lack of further updates since the initial 2024 season changes has left Preece, along with fellow drivers and car owners, questioning NASCAR’s commitment to enacting comprehensive safety measures. With only a proposed anti-lift flap for summer races and the No. 60 Ford bearing new colors from Celsius, concrete solutions are yet to materialize.
Preece emphasizes the shared understanding of risks among drivers and acknowledges, “If you make a bad decision, there’s repercussions, but when circumstances are beyond control, safety should not be compromised.” His experiences highlight a deeper awareness among both drivers and fans about the inherent dangers involved in racing. With lives at stake, the importance of remembering and valuing the human element in such high-risk sports cannot be overstated.
The dialogue initiated by Preece’s experience continues to shape discussions within NASCAR. His appeal for swift action places pressure on NASCAR and its engineering teams to deliver solutions that can significantly reduce the risk of airborne incidents. Fans and drivers alike await forthcoming safety implementations with bated breath, and Preece remains hopeful for advancements that ensure incidents like his are mitigated. “I respect the other drivers and the car owners, and I don’t want to see anybody get hurt,” he said, further driving home the critical nature of timely intervention.
Looking ahead, as Ryan Preece prepares for upcoming races, including Talladega, his calls symbolize the urgency for collaborative safety measures that protect everyone involved in the sport. Any delay in rigorous testing and application of new technology can influence the future of NASCAR, potentially harming its reputation if unfavorable events persist. As Preece continues to compete with determination, his experiences and the conversations they spark are poised to guide NASCAR toward a safer, more secure racing environment.
