On February 5, 2026, at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston Salem, North Carolina, Ryan Preece captured his first NASCAR Cup Series win, delivering a breakthrough victory for RFK Racing in the Cook Out Clash. This dramatic triumph came after a snowstorm forced the race to be postponed from Sunday to Wednesday, intensifying an already tense competition. Preece’s victory highlighted RFK Racing’s resilience and racing skill, while his teammates Chris Buescher and Corey LaJoie also showcased determination in a highly unpredictable event shaped by harsh weather and slippery conditions.
Ryan Preece’s Breakthrough Victory Fueled by Grit and Determination
Starting from 18th position, Ryan Preece methodically climbed through the field in his No. 60 Kroger/Coca-Cola Ford Mustang. His steady progress moved him into 16th place by the first caution, confidently signaling to his crew that he was advancing. An aggressive but calculated drive saw him pass notable competitors like Ross Chastain, breaking into the top ten by race midpoint. Preece’s background in short-track racing gave him an edge in the challenging conditions, allowing him to excel as the race evolved.
Two Years ago, I didn’t think I was gonna have a job,
Preece reflected emotionally in victory lane.
I thought I was going back to Connecticut, and I’m just super emotional
said the Berlin, Connecticut native.
As the race progressed, a mid-event pause occurred due to worsening weather, including sleet making the track slick and forcing teams to switch to rain tires. After a restart that saw Preece spun out early on, dropping to 19th, he mounted a remarkable comeback to reach eighth place with 70 laps remaining. Demonstrating his skill on both the inside and outside lanes, he seized the lead on lap 143 of the 200-lap event.
Despite briefly losing the lead, Preece’s persistence paid off. By lap 156, he held the front spot firmly, expertly managing restarts in icy, difficult conditions to maintain control until the checkered flag.
Man, (the emotions) all hit me. I feel bad for Roush Yates Engines right now because that thing is bouncing off the chip pretty hard,
Preece said post-race.
I’ve got to thank Ford, Ford Racing and everybody there with all the support they give us. As far as emotions go, when you work as hard as I have, I hate talking about it because I hate getting emotional about it, but it’s not just the Clash – winning means everything to me. I’ve put a lot into it.
Chris Buescher Navigates Variable Conditions to Secure Eighth Place
Chris Buescher delivered a tenacious performance in the No. 17 Fifth Third Bank Ford Mustang, contending with frequent cautions and constantly shifting track grip. Beginning the race in eighth, Buescher advanced to seventh by lap 20, capitalizing on his vehicle’s balanced ability to run both the high and low lanes effectively. By lap 40, he had moved into sixth after overtaking Christopher Bell.
However, as the track surface wore and conditions deteriorated with the onset of sleet and snow, Buescher’s car became too loose, causing him to fall back to 16th by midway. Crew chief Scott Graves adjusted the car during a mid-race intermission, focusing on tires and air pressure to tighten handling and advised Buescher to remain patient with a full half of the race ahead.
When the weather turned chaotic, requiring teams to run on rain tires, Buescher clawed back into the top ten and reached as high as seventh place late in the race. Skillful avoidance of incidents during the event’s unpredictable restarts contributed to his eventual eighth-place finish.
Long night, Buescher summarized.
Overall, we had decent speed. It fell off really hard with all the rain and ice. It was chaos out there. So, everything‘s a little worse off for the wear. I’m happy for Preece and the 60 bunch. That’s pretty cool. It was neat for them to pull it out with all those conditions.
Corey LaJoie’s Determined Run in Brad Keselowski’s Absence
Corey LaJoie stepped in for Brad Keselowski, who was recovering from a December leg injury, piloting the No. 6 Solomon Plumbing Ford Mustang. LaJoie faced the uphill task of advancing through the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) after qualifying outside the top 20, with only the top two out of the 75-lap LCQ earning a spot in the main event.
Starting fourth in the LCQ, LaJoie found his rhythm on the bottom lane, steadily charging forward. As the race wore on, he edged closer to the coveted transfer positions, overtaking John Hunter Nemechek for third place. In the closing stages, a fierce battle unfolded between LaJoie and AJ Allmendinger for the final qualifying spot, marked by aggressive lane changes and crossover maneuvers performed side by side with Austin Cindric.
Despite the intense contest, LaJoie ultimately finished third in the LCQ, narrowly missing entry into the main race but demonstrating notable grit and competitive spirit.
It was like a game of chess at 50 miles an hour. You wanted to be the guy on the inside obviously, but you don’t want to pass the guy because then he had the opportunity to get back to you,
LaJoie said.
“I came up a little bit short. It was exciting. It was fun to be in the fight. I hadn’t been in a fight like that in a long time.”
RFK Racing’s Legacy Behind the Breakthrough Victory
RFK Racing, which entered its 39th season in 2026, is a powerhouse in the NASCAR landscape. Owned by legendary figures such as Jack Roush, NASCAR champion Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group’s John Henry, the team boasts a rich history of success. Founded in 1988 by Roush, the organization has earned over 300 wins and secured eight championships, including consecutive NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004.
Brad Keselowski, an influential former NASCAR Truck Series owner and the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion, now co-owns the team alongside Henry, who is also known for owning major sports franchises like the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool Football Club, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. RFK Racing is notable not just on the track but also as a leader in NASCAR marketing and digital content creation, continuing to elevate the sport’s profile.
Significance and Next Steps for RFK Racing After Milestone Win
Ryan Preece’s first Cup Series victory represents a significant milestone for both himself and RFK Racing, underscoring the team’s perseverance through adverse conditions and lineup challenges. The dramatic win, earned on a night with unpredictable weather and intense competition, illustrates the depth of talent and resilience within RFK Racing.
As the season advances, the team will build on this momentum, aiming to maintain competitive performances across upcoming races. Preece’s emotional triumph and the strong results from teammates like Buescher signal a rejuvenated RFK squad ready to contend at the highest level of NASCAR racing in 2026.
