Ryan Preece entered the 2025 NASCAR season under unusual circumstances. After six years without a win or a playoff appearance, his future in the Cup Series appeared uncertain. However, thanks to Brad Keselowski’s support, Preece has rapidly improved, now securing multiple top-five and top-ten finishes. His progress places him firmly in contention for a playoff berth, igniting a competitive struggle within his own team, RFK Racing, as he vies with teammates for the final playoff position.

Points Battle Intensifies After Iowa Speedway

At the recent Iowa Speedway race, Brad Keselowski showcased strong performance by sweeping both stages and finishing third, closing in on a victory. Ryan Preece continued his momentum with a second consecutive top-five finish, while teammate Chris Buescher experienced difficulties and finished 22nd. Prior to Iowa, Buescher held a 42-point lead over Preece for the final 16th playoff spot. The race narrowed that margin to 23 points, raising the intensity of the competition as the regular season moves toward its final three races at Watkins Glen, Richmond, and Daytona.

The clash between Preece and Buescher, though competitive, remains respectful. Preece commented on their relationship with journalist Claire B. Lane, saying,

“I think we have enough respect for each other on the racetrack to do it the right way.”

Yet, he also acknowledged the high stakes involved and the need for assertive racing, adding,

“We are going to race hard. I think between this week and next week…He (Buescher) sees Watkins Glen as a great opportunity to go win and get himself in…If the points battle is really close going into Daytona, obviously, we’re going to take care of each other when it comes to superspeedways. The last few laps, you gotta do the best you can to try to win that race.”

Supporting this intense rivalry, Claire B. Lang tweeted about Preece’s drive to make the playoffs while competing directly against Buescher, stating,

“Had a chance to ask some questions of @RyanPreece_ today. He’s a talented, aggressive racer who desperately wants to make the #NASCAR Cup playoffs. He is racing his teammate @Chris_Buescher who holds the final playoff spot currently headed into this weekend @WGI . Yikes – that… pic.twitter.com/OwqTpSoKiE”

—Claire B. Lang, NASCAR Journalist

Chris Buescher enters Watkins Glen as the defending winner, while Ryan Preece’s strength on short tracks primes him well for Richmond. Daytona remains unpredictable, with Brad Keselowski holding the record for most superspeedway wins (7) in the current field. Despite the fierce competition within RFK Racing, Preece emphasized fairness, stating,

“I don’t think I would change anything. I typically try to race everybody with the level of respect that I would want back. I don’t necessarily think that I would go and wreck somebody to try to get points like that. I’m just gonna race everybody the way I’d want to be raced.”

NASCAR Drivers Demand Changes to Next-Gen Car

Beyond the playoff battle, Ryan Preece and many Cup Series drivers have voiced serious concerns over the Next-Gen car design introduced in 2022. Persistent issues with handling, passing due to turbulent air, and unintended secondary collisions have sparked frustration among veterans and newcomers alike. An example occurred at Iowa Speedway when William Byron, driving conservatively to conserve fuel, held off faster competitors Brad Keselowski and Chase Briscoe, exposing significant maneuverability limitations.

Veterans such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. have criticized the current setup, calling it a “travesty” to stock car racing traditions. Kevin Harvick has urged NASCAR officials to increase engine power as a potential solution, with the organization reportedly considering boosting horsepower from the current 670 to 750 HP.

Preece echoed these sentiments during a conversation with Peter Stratta, advocating for even more substantial increases. He said,

“From the driver’s standpoint, I wish we would be able to go to a test and overshoot it. Give us too much and just have to dial it back from there because I feel like we need, I know a 1000 horsepower seems like a big number.”

He further explained,

“But in my eyes, with the car weighing 3,500 lbs, you’re going to need a big percentage increase to notice, I think what we’re trying to accomplish.”

This highlights the drivers’ urgent call for NASCAR to revisit vehicle specifications to improve racing quality and driver control.

The Stakes Ahead for Ryan Preece and RFK Racing

Ryan Preece’s season marks a critical turning point in his NASCAR career, shifting from a long-standing underdog to a playoff contender backed by Brad Keselowski’s guidance. The ongoing points battle with teammate Chris Buescher adds a compelling subplot within RFK Racing as both aim to secure the last playoff spot in the remaining races.

Meanwhile, concerns over the Next-Gen car’s performance and calls for increased horsepower create a broader context of change within the sport this year. Preece’s position at the intersection of fierce intra-team rivalry and the push for better racing equipment places him among the key competitors defining the 2025 NASCAR season’s narrative.

As the season approaches critical races at Watkins Glen, Richmond, and Daytona, fans and experts alike will be watching closely to see if Preece’s resurgence continues and how the playoff battle unfolds within RFK Racing’s ranks.