Ryan Preece faced a significant challenge in his NASCAR career during the 2024 season, marked by uncertainty and setbacks. His turnaround began with the Brad Keselowski NASCAR team expansion, as RFK Racing welcomed him to their newly expanded lineup, offering a fresh start for the experienced driver.
The Challenging Mid-Season Struggles That Almost Ended Preece’s NASCAR Journey
<pEarlier in 2024, Ryan Preece encountered a bleak phase when a promising deal fell apart, leaving his future in racing uncertain. In a candid conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Preece revealed he was once on the verge of stepping away and returning to his home state of Connecticut. By April, a potential team had reached out to him, encouraging optimism as he even began looking for houses locally. However, that hope quickly faded as performance issues surfaced.
“I was looking for houses in Conneticut. I remember April, we were running halfway decent, there was a team that ended up reaching out to me. I was like, okay,”
Preece recalled.
By May, things took a swift downturn, including an incident at Dover where his car caught fire, signaling a series of misfortunes.
“Then May came, I remember Dover, car catches on fire inside. I remember it was just like a snowball effect. And then we go into June, July and it’s less than stellar.” —Ryan Preece, NASCAR driver
After a solid start to the season that saw the No. 41 team ranking in the top half of the standings and demonstrating competitive speed, results plummeted. From mid-season onward, Preece’s team struggled, failing to secure any top-five finishes following March. Despite these setbacks, Preece recorded one top-five and five top-10 finishes during his time at Stewart-Haas Racing before the team’s closure was announced.
Leading into uncertainty, Preece’s career appeared at a crossroads, compounded by the folding of Stewart-Haas Racing. Yet, the tide turned dramatically with a pivotal phone call, captured and shared by Dirty Mo Media, noting:
“Just when Ryan Preece thought he’d lost it all, the phone rang… ☎”
Brad Keselowski’s RFK Racing Expansion Creates New Opportunities
Ryan Preece’s career revival began when RFK Racing, under the leadership of Brad Keselowski, expanded to include a third full-time NASCAR Cup Series car for 2025. Preece was announced as the driver of the No. 60 Ford, joining Keselowski and Chris Buescher as the team’s trio of drivers. This move brought stability to Preece’s career and reunited him with Kroger, a longtime sponsor who also transferred to RFK Racing with him.
Since 2015, Preece has made 187 Cup starts and amassed four top-five finishes, 16 top-10s, and led 176 laps. He has also achieved victories in both the Xfinity and Truck Series. This renewed partnership with RFK Racing and Keselowski’s leadership offers Preece not only a competitive seat but also the chance to further establish himself at the top level of NASCAR competition.
Memorable Hometown Victory at Stafford Speedway Lights Up Preece’s Career
Just weeks after navigating a difficult season, Ryan Preece energized his home fans by winning the Cleetus McFarland New England 900 at Stafford Speedway on July 18. The Connecticut native triumphed in a vibrant event that featured NASCAR personalities and YouTubers racing Crown Victoria cars energized by nitrous boosts.
Preece started 15th in his No. 60 BuildSubmarines.com car and steadily climbed through the field to lead by the 17th lap. The race evolved into a fierce battle with veteran Greg Biffle and other seasoned drivers like Brad DeBerti and Brent PFI Speed taking turns at the front. In the final laps, Preece held off Biffle’s advances, ultimately using his nitrous boost to make a decisive move in the last lap to claim victory.
“It was all about having fun… To be able to race with these guys at my home track, a place that has made me who I am as a race car driver, is really special.” —Ryan Preece, NASCAR driver
The emotional significance of winning in front of family, friends, and hometown supporters was evident as Preece reflected on the occasion.
“To have my daughter here, my family, my in-laws, my dad, and everybody here. It’s my hometown crowd, so it’s awesome.” —Ryan Preece, NASCAR driver
In addition to his win, Preece also completed a strong performance in the GAF Roofing Mod Masters race two days earlier at Stafford Speedway, finishing fourth in the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series event. These back-to-back solid rides at his local track highlight the sustained progress in his career after a rough start to the year.
The Significance of This Revival for Preece and NASCAR’s Competitive Landscape
Ryan Preece’s resurgence after mid-season doubts demonstrates the impact of Brad Keselowski NASCAR team expansion on driver opportunities, showing how strategic team growth can revitalize careers. Preece’s addition to RFK Racing’s lineup strengthens the team’s competitive edge and signals positive momentum ahead for the driver who overcame adversity to return to the NASCAR Cup Series full-time.
As Preece prepares for the 2025 season behind the wheel of the No. 60 Ford, his fans and the larger NASCAR community will be watching closely to see how this fresh chapter unfolds. The combination of Keselowski’s leadership, solid sponsorship backing, and Preece’s own determination sets the stage for a hopeful and ambitious future in racing.