Ryan Preece is setting his sights on a new level of success with RFK Racing as he heads into the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, coming off a career-best year that underscored his potential in the right team environment. The discussion around the Ryan Preece RFK Racing 2026 partnership is intensifying, with anticipation building over whether Preece can transform strong showings into breakthrough victories next season.
Preece’s Transformative 2025 Season and the Right Fit at RFK Racing
The 2025 season served as a turning point for Preece, marking his sixth full year in the NASCAR Cup Series. For the first time, the driver from Berlin, Conn., found himself in a team position that allowed his talent to shine. Posting career-high numbers across points standing (18th), average finish (15.7), and posting 14 top-10 results, Preece demonstrated he belonged among NASCAR’s elite. Prior to joining RFK Racing, his efforts with JTG Daugherty Racing—now known as HYAK Motorsports—and the declining Stewart-Haas Racing offered fewer opportunities for him to compete at the front of the field.
Despite being a relative wild card when the season started, Preece quickly made headlines, proving that experience and the right equipment could bring out his best. Although he missed out on a playoff spot, his performances throughout the year offered “flashes of greatness” and gave fans and team members plenty to look forward to heading into the next campaign.
Building Momentum and Chasing Victory in 2026
The question on everyone’s mind now is just how far Preece can go in the upcoming season. While RFK Racing did not secure a race win in 2025, the entire organization, from teammates Chris Buescher to Brad Keselowski, exhibited steady performance, particularly as the year progressed. Preece himself narrowly missed out on a major triumph at Talladega in April, initially finishing as the runner-up before a post-race inspection led to disqualification.
With another year of experience at RFK Racing and confidence in the speed of next year’s cars, expectations are rising that Preece will finally visit victory lane at the Cup level. The playoff format for 2026 is still being finalized, but regardless of whether the field is reduced from 16 to 12 or even 10 drivers, Preece’s trajectory suggests he will be a strong contender for a postseason berth.
Why 2026 Could Define Preece’s Cup Career
All factors indicate that the upcoming season could be a defining moment for Preece. After years of competing on less competitive teams, he is finally in an environment that supports his ambitions and skillset. His success also connects him with other legendary drivers from his region, including Mark Martin, a NASCAR Hall of Famer who hailed from a similar area.
Samuel, who has followed NASCAR since joining Yardbarker in early 2024 and is a member of the National Motorsports Press Association, notes from his experience,
“All signs point to a positive 2026 for Preece, who is finally in the right situation for his budding career to bloom.”
The outcome of the 2026 season will not only impact Preece’s future but could signal a shift in RFK Racing’s competitiveness as a team. As fans and insiders keep a close eye on the evolving storylines around Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, and this emerging contender, Ryan Preece’s progress with RFK Racing in 2026 will be one of the sport’s major narratives to watch.
