As a part of an extended, unique interview with RFK Racing’s Ryan Preece, Motorsport.com needed to get his ideas on the ever-present risk of airborne accidents in NASCAR. Sadly, he has some first-hand expertise with that, particularly with the present technology of automotive.
Preece barrel-rolled in a terrifying accident at Daytona in 2023 in a violent airborne crash that lasted eight seconds. Regardless of struggling some bloodshot eyes, he was capable of stroll away from the wreckage. NASCAR and Daytona reacted rapidly, eradicating grass from the backstretch on the famed speedway as they believed it performed a job within the severity of the incident.
Sadly, it occurred to Preece as soon as once more late within the 2025 Daytona 500. Whereas working in the midst of the pack, he was unable to keep away from a spinning Christopher Bell, who instantly crossed his path. The influence despatched Preece’s automotive upwards, performing a weird wheelie down the backstretch earlier than going fully over on the entrance of Flip 3.
Watch: Preece “fortunate to stroll away” from second terrifying airborne crash at Daytona
We determined to not ask Preece about what it is prefer to go up and over as it is a query he is sadly needed to reply loads previously. “If I had a greenback for each time I have been requested that, I might retire,” he smiled.
We have been extra concerned with listening to his ideas about what NASCAR might or needs to be doing to assist counter such incidents. Whereas the sanctioning physique carried out some modifications through the 2024, no updates have been made between February’s Daytona 500 and this weekend’s race at Talladega the place Preece’s No. 60 Ford can be carrying Celsius colours for the primary time this yr.
What is the resolution?
“I’m not too certain,” mentioned Preece when requested about what could possibly be executed. “I’m not within the wind tunnel, I’m not an aeronautical engineer, I am not someone who research CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) for a majority of these conditions, however I’ve lived by it twice.
“I’m certain with time, we’re going to discover a resolution that everyone is pleased with. I don’t essentially know what that resolution is. I simply hope that it’s ahead of later. As an individual, as a racer, as somebody that respects the opposite drivers I’m racing in opposition to in addition to the automotive house owners, I don’t need to see anyone get damage or something of that nature.”
Ryan Preece, RFK Racing Ford
Photograph by: James Gilbert / Getty Photographs
Preece continued, saying, “I perceive the dangers. All of us perceive the dangers. In case you make a foul choice, there’s repercussions, however there’s additionally — whenever you’re in these kinds of conditions the place you’re nearly helpless, even primarily based off of a call that you simply did not essentially make, you don’t need to see that. Racing is harmful and I really feel like a variety of followers say that and it is simple to say, however I feel all of us must keep in mind that there’s an individual inside that race automotive so that you don’t need to see them get damage due to a scenario someone else made.”
You possibly can see the learn of the remainder of Motorsport.com’s unique interview on Friday the place Preece discusses his robust begin with RFK, moments of doubt in his profession, expectations for Talladega, and his distinctive mindset as he chases his first profession NASCAR Cup Sequence victory.
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Be the primary to know and subscribe for real-time information e mail updates on these matters
Subscribe to information alerts
