After 214 starts spanning eight seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series without claiming Victory Lane, Ryan Preece finally secured his first win on Wednesday night at the Clash held at Bowman Gray Stadium. Although the Clash does not count as an official points race, the victory gave Preece a true taste of triumph in a Cup Series event, an emotional milestone he struggled to contain during his interview with FOX Sports’ Regan Smith.
The Long Road to Success for Ryan Preece
Preece’s path to this moment has been challenging. His NASCAR career faced uncertainty in 2024 when Stewart-Haas Racing ceased operations, leaving him without a ride. Thanks to Brad Keselowski’s confidence, Preece earned a seat with RFK Racing, piloting the No. 60 Ford. This opportunity was pivotal in turning his career around.
Preece reflected on his arduous journey, expressing gratitude for the support from his sponsors and team, saying,
“
I don’t even know what to say,
To be honest with you, it’s been a f*cking long road. It’s the Clash but man, it’s been years and years of grinding, and I’m just super thankful for Brad Keselowski, Kroger, Coca-Cola, all our partners — break open the Pappy — Jack Roush, the Fenway Group. Two years ago, I didn’t think I was gonna have a job. I thought I was going back to Connecticut. Man, I’m just super, super, super emotional.
”
– Ryan Preece
Strong Performance Leads to Breakthrough Victory
After a notable 2025 season that saw him finish 18th in the points and just miss the postseason, Preece arrived at the Clash on speed. Throughout the 200-lap event, he led 27 laps, showcasing a fast and competitive car. However, it was the final lap that defined his breakthrough, a moment he described as “speechless.”
Reflecting on the race, Preece said,
“
We had a really good car, and I felt like we were fighting through adversity all day,
Trying to come from the back, and we got a lot of good spots and when we were putting rain tires on — this is as much a mental game as anything, and I felt beat up. We had a couple restarts go our way and before you know it, we were in the front two rows and then the claws just come out. … I’m speechless, man. That last two laps — I’m speechless.
”
– Ryan Preece
Looking Ahead to the Daytona 500 and Beyond
Preece plans to savor this hard-earned win but quickly shift focus to next week’s Daytona 500, the premier event on the NASCAR calendar. Building on his momentum from Bowman Gray Stadium, he aims to carry the confidence into the season’s biggest race, where he hopes his first official points victory will arrive.
This emotional triumph marks a significant turning point for Preece, who has persevered through career uncertainties to emerge as a race winner. His victory resonates not just as a personal achievement but also as a symbol of determination and resilience within NASCAR’s competitive landscape.
You can tell how much this means to @RyanPreece_. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/7Br25g97wv
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 5, 2026
