Roush-Fenway-Keselowski Racing driver Ryan Preece claimed an unofficial first-ever Cup Series victory on February 4, 2026, at the Bowman Gray short track located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Despite his win, Preece expressed strong displeasure about the severe weather affecting the event, which faced repeated delays due to snow and freezing temperatures.
The 200-lap main race at Bowman Gray was postponed twice before it finally ran on a Wednesday evening under difficult conditions. The region had been blanketed by historic snowfall, leaving the track cold and treacherous. NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass predicted temperatures would hit a low of 32°F, with a 70% chance of snow or rain showers during the race weekend, setting a challenging scene for drivers and teams alike.
Amidst this, Preece’s crew chief highlighted the icy situation, stating,
“We are two degrees from freezing.”
Preece himself did not hold back his frustration over the conditions, adding over the team radio,
“Yeah. This makes f**king NO sense. My hope is that somebody with common sense is listening outside of this team.”
These remarks underscored the tension and concerns about safety and performance on such a cold, slippery track during the high-stakes race.
Ryan Preece’s Performance in the Bowman Gray Clash and Earlier Career Highlights
In qualifying for the event, Preece secured the 18th position among 23 cars with a fastest lap time of 14.234 seconds in his #60 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Despite starting near the back, he fought through the field to take the lead in the closing laps of the 200-lap contest, ultimately capturing the Clash title at this challenging short track.
This victory followed a notable career-best finish from the previous year when Preece earned third place at the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. During that March 2025 race, he qualified 12th with a lap time of 28.97 seconds and dealt with early struggles before rallying in the second stage to finish on the podium.
Reflecting on his progress and the effort of his team, Preece said in a post-race interview,
“If I finished 15th like last week, taking a chance, or staying out, um, like we did this week to get track position so just proud of, uh, proud of the team. You know, people talk about effort all day long, and every single person in this garage it doesn’t matter if they finish 20th today or one they all work really hard, but I’m just grateful, uh, you know, I got a team that’s fighting.” [00:55]
This statement emphasized both his appreciation for his team’s relentless commitment and his cautious optimism about his career trajectory.
Context of the Bowman Gray Race and NASCAR Landscape
The Bowman Gray race was run amid one of the coldest and snowiest periods in recent history for the area, which disrupted schedules and tested driver endurance. While Preece’s win was a high point, the event was closely watched due to its weather challenges.
In related NASCAR news, Wood Brothers Racing driver Josh Berry secured his first career victory at the Pennzoil 400, with Daniel Suarez of Trackhouse Racing finishing as runner-up, illustrating the highly competitive nature of the Cup Series.
Considering the severe weather difficulties faced at Bowman Gray, this race will likely prompt teams and organizers to rethink how they plan for extreme winter conditions during short track events. Fans and drivers alike will watch closely how upcoming races adapt to ensure safety while maintaining the challenging spirit of NASCAR competition.
Ryan Preece crew chief Derrick Finley: "We are two degrees from freezing."
Ryan Preece: "Yeah. This makes fucking NO sense. My hope is that somebody with common sense is listening outside of this team."
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 5, 2026
