During the 2024 Coca-Cola 600, Ryan Preece found himself once again trailing near the back of the field, confronting the harsh reality of his tenure at Stewart-Haas Racing. Despite steering the No. 41 car, a vehicle with a storied history including a Daytona 500 victory, Preece was unable to translate that legacy into current success. Instead, he faced the challenge of carrying both his team and car forward, often having to take on the role of crew chief from behind the wheel to guide his pit crew through difficult decisions.
This difficult phase illustrated a deeper decline within Stewart-Haas Racing that Preece became entangled in. The team eventually sold its assets and ceased operations at the end of 2024, leaving Preece to find a fresh start. That fresh start came with RFK Racing, where he took over the No. 60 Ford, and the shift brought notable improvements in his performance and outlook.
A New Chapter at RFK Racing Boosts Preece’s Career
In the current 2025 season, Ryan Preece stands in the best form of his Cup career, achieving six top-10 finishes across 16 races. His upward trajectory places him firmly in contention for a coveted spot in the NASCAR playoffs. This progress is largely credited to RFK Racing’s rising status and the support of car owner Brad Keselowski, who has shown confidence in Preece’s abilities. The driver’s willingness to embrace change and maintain an open mind has also played a vital role in improving his performance.
Preece shared with CBS Sports his mindset adjustment, emphasizing the importance of trust and adaptability. He explained that instead of relying solely on his extensive car knowledge and preconceived strategies, he now prioritizes listening and focusing on small improvements to maximize his strengths on race weekends.
“I went in with an open mind of ‘I’m gonna work on me, I’m gonna trust the process and I’m gonna continue to push myself.’ And that comes with doing more listening than I do talking, having a different perspective going into the weekends, and really just having a big, open mind when it comes to a lot of things,”
—Ryan Preece, NASCAR Driver
By returning to a mindset of simply driving race cars rather than obsessing over setups, Preece is regaining a natural feel that is benefiting his racing style and results.
The Long Road to Cup Success Fueled by Experience and Patience
Ryan Preece’s climb to Cup Series relevance was anything but straightforward. His journey began with success on short tracks in the Whelen Modified Tour, followed by seasons in less competitive Xfinity cars before landing limited Cup opportunities. This background provides him with valuable insight into car mechanics, setup adjustments, and race dynamics—knowledge that proves essential when seeking competitive advantages on the track.
Despite these technical skills, trusting the racing process and rookies’ lessons from car owner Brad Keselowski has helped Preece sharpen his focus. Keselowski’s guidance has emphasized setting clear driver goals, harnessing strengths, and improving weaknesses which have transformed Preece into a more effective leader and competitor.
Preece Nears His First Cup Victory, But Challenges Remain
There is growing optimism that Ryan Preece will clinch his first Cup win before the regular season ends. He came agonizingly close at Talladega, finishing second in a photo finish, only to be disqualified due to a rear spoiler violation discovered in post-race inspection. Still, the performance signaled that Preece is capable of contending at the front of the pack.
Success, however, is critical if Preece hopes to contend for the championship later in the year. Entering the Mexico City race, Preece was tied with Kyle Busch for the final playoff spot, having secured a stage win and running in 15th when Busch crashed early. A surprise victory by Shane van Gisbergen, who started from 33rd in points, subsequently pushed Preece below the playoff cut line by 19 points heading into the Pocono race weekend.
Handling Pressure and Strategic Risk in the Playoff Hunt
Ryan Preece’s history shows he thrives under pressure, taking calculated risks when his back is against the wall. Reflecting on his breakout moment in NASCAR with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Xfinity team, he credits his success to embracing high-stakes opportunities.
“I thrive off pressure. I enjoy it,”
—Ryan Preece, NASCAR Driver
He added that he approaches every race weekend as if it’s his last, emphasizing smart decision-making and a constant process of learning and improvement to stay ready for the big moments ahead.
“For me it’s approaching every weekend like it’s my last and trying to win. And not doing something stupid — I feel like I’m always pretty smart about the decisions that I make behind the wheel. I definitely have a checklist of things that we’re continuing to work on, I’m continuing to work on. When we nail it all down, I’m ready to go to war.”
—Ryan Preece, NASCAR Driver
Competition and Collaboration Within RFK Racing
In the fight to reach the playoffs, Preece faces competition not only across the series but also from within his own team. His RFK Racing teammate Chris Buescher has adopted a must-win mindset for the second half of the regular season, despite holding a stable position in points. Preece agrees with the urgency but stresses a balanced approach.
“If you’re in our situation or anybody below us, I think you’re at that point where you need to think about winning,”
—Ryan Preece, NASCAR Driver
He pointed out the importance of weighing risks to ensure strong finishes while seizing chances to claim victory.
“Now, you can’t do it at the sacrifice of ‘Am I gonna take this risk and finish third, but at the same time I have the potential to finish 30th?’ Because you kind of have gotta do both. You need to put yourself in position to have great days, but take the opportunities to win the race when you can.”
—Ryan Preece, NASCAR Driver
“Because you’ve seen it, there’s some people that run 28th and then Daytona or a road course, if things go your way, you don’t even think about the other 17 or however many races that you may have not ran very well, but had one win and it changes your entire season or outlook on that season. Our goal is to win and win multiple times.”
—Ryan Preece, NASCAR Driver
Building Brand Partnerships and Fan Connections
Off the track, Preece’s partnership with brands like Colgate and Kroger is part of an effort to reconnect NASCAR with everyday consumer products, a trend less common in the sport’s recent history. Colgate, which co-primary sponsors his No. 60 Ford alongside Kroger, launched a new ad campaign featuring Preece during a recent NASCAR race broadcast.
“I brush my teeth every day, I use mouthwash every day,”
—Ryan Preece, NASCAR Driver
He highlighted how these partnerships allow him to promote products he genuinely uses, helping to build a genuine bond between the sport, his team, and the fans. This connection offers a nostalgic nod to past NASCAR eras when consumer brands were dominant on the grid and helped shape fan loyalty through everyday products.
The Road Ahead: High Stakes and Unfolding Potential
Ryan Preece’s transformation from struggling driver at a fading powerhouse team to an ascending contender at RFK Racing underscores a pivotal moment in his career. With the NASCAR playoffs fast approaching, he remains under pressure to secure wins that will validate his potential and solidify his position among the sport’s elite. The driver’s openness to learning, combined with strategic risk-taking and strong team support, sets the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the regular season and perhaps the realization of his first Cup victory.
As the races progress, fans and analysts alike will watch Preece’s fight closely, anticipating whether his hard-fought progress culminates in breakthrough moments that extend into championship contention this fall.