Ryan Preece overcame rain, sleet, and wintry conditions on Wednesday night to claim victory at the Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, during the Cook Out Clash. Battling a slick, glazed quarter-mile track on wet-weather tires, Preece, the 35-year-old driver from Berlin, Connecticut, showcased exceptional skill to secure the win after the NASCAR Cup Series exhibition race was postponed twice due to heavy snow.
Long Road to Victory and Career Resilience
For Preece, the triumph represented more than just a race win; it was the culmination of years marked by uncertainty and perseverance. Emotionally overwhelmed after exiting his car, he admitted the path to this moment had been challenging.
“I don’t even know what to say,”
Preece said, wiping tears as loyal fans braved cold temperatures to cheer him on.
“To be honest with you, it’s been a freaking long road. It’s the Clash, but, man, it’s been years and years of grinding … Two years ago, I didn’t think I was going to have a job. I thought I was going back to Connecticut.”
After Stewart-Haas Racing ceased operations at the end of the 2024 season, Preece secured a new ride with Roush Fenway Racing in the No. 60 Ford, setting the stage for this memorable performance.
Race Dynamics: Strategic Moves and Clash Records
Preece began the race in 18th position and steadily moved up the field before and after the midway break. He took the lead on Lap 156 by overtaking Shane van Gisbergen following a restart. The contest featured a record 17 cautions, reflecting a tense and aggressive race. On the final restart at Lap 182 of 200, Preece pulled clear, crossing the finish line 1.752 seconds ahead of runner-up William Byron.
This victory makes Preece the third driver to win the Clash prior to securing a NASCAR Cup Series points race win, joining legends Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin. Remarkably, Preece became the first driver since the Clash’s switch to a quarter-mile format at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2022 to win from outside the first two rows, breaking a streak of eight different winners.
Top Finishers and Race Highlights
Ryan Blaney finished third, closely followed by Daniel Suarez and Denny Hamlin. Chase Briscoe, Austin Dillon, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, and Alex Bowman rounded out the top ten spots. Kyle Larson, who started on pole and led a race-high 67 laps, struggled after the wet track conditions forced a tire change to rain tires, falling to 16th place.
Meanwhile, Josh Berry made an impressive run from the Last Chance Qualifier, leading all laps in the LCQ and winning by over seven seconds in the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford. Austin Cindric also secured his spot through the LCQ after a fierce battle with Corey LaJoie for the runner-up spot.
Qualifying Battles and On-Track Tensions
The final field for the Clash was only confirmed after a tense push by AJ Allmendinger, who moved Austin Cindric past Corey LaJoie in the final corner of the Last Chance Qualifier, clinching one of the last starting positions. LaJoie, substituting for the injured Brad Keselowski, reflected on the intense fight for position.
“You, wanted to be on the inside, obviously, but you don’t want to pass the guy, ‘cause then he has the opportunity to get back to you,”
Lajoie explained.
“It was exciting. It was fun to be in the fight. I hadn’t been in a fight like that in a long time.”
Allmendinger, who finished fourth, had hoped to strategically move both Cindric and LaJoie in the race’s closing moments.
“I had the plan set up perfect,”
he said.
I just didn’t execute. I went down in there to kind of shove ‘em both out of the way, and we didn’t have enough grip to throttle back up and beat ‘em to the line.”
Other Notable Competitors and Race Developments
Josh Berry started 21st in the overall Clash field and finished 12th, while Cindric struggled after starting 22nd, ultimately finishing in 21st place following multiple setbacks. Alex Bowman entered the race last in 23rd position as the highest driver in the 2025 standings not previously qualified through time trials or the LCQ.
Impact of the Victory and Moving Forward
Ryan Preece’s win at the Cook Out Clash not only highlights his resilience but also signals a new chapter for his career with Roush Fenway Racing. His skillful adaptation to difficult weather and track conditions demonstrates his readiness to contend at the highest levels of NASCAR. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will watch to see if this victory sets a momentum for Preece to secure his first NASCAR Cup Series points win and further solidify his place among racing’s elite.
