Ryan Preece has shared the emotional experience of almost losing his place in the NASCAR Cup Series before securing a late deal with RFK Racing for the 2025 season. His position became uncertain after Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) announced in May 2024 that it would cease operations at the end of the year, leaving Preece without a confirmed ride.
While many of his SHR teammates quickly signed with other teams, Preece remained without a seat until RFK Racing decided to expand to a three-car lineup for the upcoming season. Co-owned by former Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing acquired a charter from Rick Ware Racing to field the new No. 60 Ford Mustang, providing Preece with a critical opportunity to stay in the series.
The Late Breakthrough That Secured Preece’s Place in NASCAR
The agreement between Ryan Preece and RFK Racing materialized close to the new season, offering him a fresh start after two challenging years with Stewart-Haas Racing. His performance in 2023 and 2024 reflected struggles, finishing 23rd and then 26th in the points standings, respectively, with only one top-five and five top-10 finishes in the 2023 season.
Despite the downturn, RFK Racing recognized Preece’s talent and experience, extending the late offer that ensured his continuation in the Cup Series. Reflecting on the uncertain offseason, Preece told NBC Sports:
“Really, my situation has been a one-year contract since ’22. In all reality, it’s been one year on and on and on. That hasn’t changed me a whole lot. … It’s very satisfying to be with this group (at RFK Racing). We all kind of came together very last minute. Derrick (Finley, the crew chief) even joked about it, he said, ‘We didn’t pick the team, the team chose us.’” —Ryan Preece, NASCAR driver
After a difficult start to the 2025 season, including a crash in the Daytona 500, Preece showed resilience with strong finishes: third at Las Vegas, ninth at Homestead-Miami, seventh at both Martinsville and Kansas, and ninth again at Charlotte. These results have placed him 14th in the point standings, keeping him competitive for a playoff berth.
Disqualification at Talladega Cost Preece His Second Podium Finish of 2025
On April 27, during the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, Ryan Preece crossed the finish line in second place behind Austin Cindric, which would have marked his second podium of the season. However, NASCAR officials later disqualified him after discovering a rules violation during the post-race inspection.
The infraction involved Preece’s No. 60 Ford Mustang having three shims in the rear spoiler instead of the mandated two, violating Rule 14.5.8.F of the NASCAR Rule Book. As a consequence, Preece’s second-place finish was nullified, and his points for the race dropped from 40 to just 1, officially placing him 38th in the event.
RFK Racing acknowledged the issue as an accidental pre-race adjustment and opted not to challenge NASCAR’s decision. The team stated:
“RFK Racing acknowledges and accepts NASCAR’s decision to disqualify the No. 60 Ford Mustang (of Ryan Preece) following post-race inspection at Talladega and will not appeal the ruling. The infraction stemmed from an unintentional adjustment during pre-race inspection to correct a spoiler angle issue,” —RFK Racing statement
The Talladega weekend proved challenging for RFK Racing overall, with teammates Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski both involved in early crashes that resulted in 34th and 36th place finishes. Preece and the team are preparing to rebound as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Nashville Superspeedway for the Cracker Barrel 400 on June 1.
What This Means for Ryan Preece’s Career Moving Forward
Securing a spot with RFK Racing has provided Ryan Preece a critical lifeline to continue competing at the highest level. Despite setbacks such as the disqualification at Talladega and tough finishes early in the 2025 season, Preece’s strong performances show promise as he battles for a playoff position.
His transition to RFK Racing marks a new chapter, backed by a team led in part by Brad Keselowski, who understands the pressures of competing in the Cup Series. The support and resources of RFK Racing may enable Preece to regain momentum and build on his experience.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how Preece capitalizes on his fresh start amid the highly competitive landscape of NASCAR’s premier series.
