Thirteen races into his rookie campaign with RFK Racing, Ryan Preece is proving that he belongs in the NASCAR Cup Series. After years of uncertainty during his time with JTG Daugherty Racing and a stint with Stewart-Haas Racing, Preece now drives the No. 60 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for 2025 and is demonstrating clear progress. His climb reflects the promise he showed earlier when capturing two NASCAR Xfinity Series victories with Joe Gibbs Racing and earning two wins in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Strong Track Record at Nashville Superspeedway Boosts Confidence
With nearly half the season still ahead, Preece has matched his career highs for top-five finishes (one) and top-10s (five). His momentum grows as he approaches the upcoming race at Nashville Superspeedway, a track where he has excelled before. Notably, Preece claimed both of his Truck Series wins on the 1.333-mile concrete oval and holds a recent NASCAR Cup Series top-five result there. His experience includes finishing sixth in the Xfinity Series at Nashville while racing for BJ McLeod’s team, further emphasizing his comfort on this circuit.
Preece’s Driving Style Resonates with Nashville’s Unique Layout
Despite uncertainty as to why the track suits him, Preece feels that Nashville Superspeedway complements his natural approach to racing. He described the track during a media session as more forgiving and aligned with the style he developed early in his career.
“That’s a great question, and to be honest with you, I think it just somewhat fits the style that I have, the style that I grew up racing. It seems to be a little bit more forgiving when it comes to some of the things that I tend to do, and I really like it,”
Ryan Preece said.
“I enjoy racing there, and a lot of it is about being disciplined with the line there. I don’t necessarily know other than when I’ve gone back and looked and really continue to go back and look, I just like it.”
Qualifying Performance Presents an Area for Improvement
If Preece hopes to secure his first NASCAR Cup Series victory this weekend, enhancing qualifying results is critical. In recent races, he has started far back, in 28th and 30th positions, and then fought his way into top-10 finishes, showcasing his race-day ability but highlighting qualifying as a limiting factor.
“…The one thing that seems to be a normal occurrence is qualifying from 28th to 32nd,”
Preece noted.
“There have certainly been times when we qualify really well, and then there are other times when we qualify really badly. There doesn’t seem to be much of an in-between, and that’s just something we’re gonna continue to keep working on.”
Of his five top-10 finishes this season, only one came from a starting spot better than 21st. That standout was his third-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which tied his career-best result in the Cup Series and came from the 12th position on the grid.
Playoff Implications and Future Prospects
Heading into this weekend, Preece is six points above the Playoff cutoff line, making his performance at Nashville crucial. A strong qualifying effort in Saturday’s session could boost his chances of competing for a win in Sunday’s Cracker Barrel 400. Though a victory has eluded him so far, Preece and RFK Racing have steadily built momentum through consistent performances, suggesting that his first Cup Series win may be imminent.
Growing Confidence Signals a Promising Road Ahead
Ryan Preece’s NASCAR Cup Series momentum has become a key storyline of his rookie season with RFK Racing. His affinity for Nashville Superspeedway, combined with an ability to climb through the field on race day, showcases his potential to reach the winner’s circle soon. Continued improvements in qualifying will be vital, but Preece’s recent results indicate that his breakthrough moment may be just around the corner, promising excitement for his team and fans alike as the season progresses.
