RFK Racing and Ryan Preece have turned heads already with a number of sturdy showings this yr. Sitting contained in the playoffs on factors in the meanwhile, this staff did not even exist final yr and hadn’t named a crew chief to move its efforts till January of this yr. And but, Preece and the No. 60 RFK Ford are sitting 14th within the common season standings, proper behind teammate Chris Buescher.
In an unique interview with Motorsport.com, the Celsius-backed Preece revealed the way it all got here collectively and the way — at one level — he was getting ready himself to face 2025 with no job in NASCAR.
Commercial
“I believe there’s at all times doubt, or a second of uncertainty,” defined Preece. “I keep in mind in August, September, I used to be properties in Connecticut to go and probably transfer again there and do this, so it was simply…I didn’t actually know. I’m grateful that all of it did come collectively as a result of it does take numerous issues. And actually, I really feel prefer it made me a greater particular person, being right here. A greater driver, a greater teammate. It’s been numerous nice life classes I’ve realized in a brief time period.”
Taking dangers and by no means settling
Preece, a champion in NASCAR’s Modified division, stated it was a name Brad Keselowski that first gave him hope, however he nonetheless wasn’t completely certain he could be on the grid this yr. And regardless of how lengthy it took for RFK to formally announce an enlargement to a few vehicles, leasing a constitution from Rick Ware Racing — Preece by no means thought to accept one thing else simply to make sure employment for the season.
“There was a possibility to form of go and solidify that I had a job and I’d be on the market, however I’m not okay as a race automotive driver or as an individual simply being on the market,” revealed Preece. “That’s settling. I might have performed that a very long time in the past and I most likely wouldn’t have had the profession that I’ve. I’m a giant threat taker. I’m going to guess on myself and hope individuals guess on me as nicely. All of it labored out.”
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, Ryan Preece, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, Ryan Preece, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing FordJonathan Bachman – Getty Pictures
Jonathan Bachman – Getty Pictures
Commercial
Preece has three prime tens and a finest end of third thus far this yr, as nicely a stage win. As for the way nicely issues are going in the meanwhile, nearly all of individuals watching could also be stunned, however Preece, who’s at all times able to guess on himself, will not be.
“I’m not stunned,” stated Preece. “And I’m not stunned as a result of as a race automotive driver and the issues that I’ve performed in my previous – for anyone that has actually recognized me, I’m extraordinarily aggressive and just about every thing I’ve raced, I’ve received in. I believe within the NASCAR Cup Collection, it’s extraordinarily aggressive, however you additionally want numerous items of the puzzle to make all of it work. You possibly can solely accomplish that a lot. It’s been very nice. What I’ll say that I’m more than pleased about is how shortly the #60 staff has gelled and are available collectively.
“Going into the season, numerous our staff actually didn’t get employed or put into the positions that they have been in till January. When you concentrate on that, you bought The Conflict originally of February after which that leads into the five hundred. In order that’s not numerous time after which there’s three or 4 core veterans in our group and the remainder of them are all new. They’ve both been doing this for 2 years and for a few of them, it’s their first time within the Cup Collection, doing this. It’s been a pleasant change, definitely for me. I’ve been working actually onerous to get one of these alternative and I really feel like RFK has been a breath of recent air and one thing that has form of opened my eyes in a special perspective – working with someone like Brad [Keselowski], in addition to being teammates with Chris [Buescher] once more. It’s been good.
Ryan Preece, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Ryan Preece, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing FordJared C. Tilton/Getty Pictures
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Pictures
Reaching Victory Lane
The one factor Preece would not have but, is a Cup Collection win. It is a evident goose egg on his stat web page, which options wins within the Xfinity and Truck Collection, and over two dozen victories as a Whelen Modified driver. However after almost 200 begins on the Cup degree with no win, can he lastly knock on the door of Victory Lane with this No. 60 staff?
Commercial
“I believe there’s at all times work to be performed, however what I like is that there’s a strong basis,” commented Preece. “There’s been numerous prep for Talladega and numerous us – whether or not you’re a fan, a crew member or a driver – you already know going to superspeedways is form of such as you virtually have a look at it such as you want numerous luck. However there’s numerous prep, there’s numerous issues you are able to do as a staff or a driver to assist your probabilities or odds.
“I really feel actually good about this weekend, in addition to the stretch we’re going into. I do know I get labelled because the man who’s extra concerning the brief monitor type of racing. You recognize, your Martinsvilles and your Bristols, New Hampshires. However I’ve actually grown to love superspeedways. I’ve grown to actually like street programs, in addition to mile-and-a-halfs. So, I really feel like these subsequent few months are going to go well with our staff. So, we really feel like we’re getting there. We’ve got a very quick pit crew. Derrick [Finley, crew chief] has been doing a very good job with the staff and making nice calls. We simply gotta put all of it collectively.”
Ryan Preece, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Ryan Preece, Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaGetty Pictures
Getty Pictures
Commercial
As for the place that win would come, Preece notes how he tries to dwell his life “one week at a time,” however he is definitely excited concerning the subsequent stretch of races arising. Rattling off monitor names similar to Talladega, Texas, Kansas, North Wilkesboro (exhibition race), Charlotte and Nashville, he stated: “These are all locations I actually like. My Cup profession, for those who form of have a look at it statistically, they’re form of in all places. However I actually really feel going into this that we’re going to have a very good month of constructing and momentum, and hopefully, alternatives to capitalize.”
As Preece already indicated, he’s amongst those that are desirous to get to ‘Dega, whereas others are doubtless dreading it. Which will confound some individuals as Preece has an unlucky historical past of massive hits and unplanned flights at superspeedways, however nonetheless, he sees the chance to win and that is all of the motivation he wants.
“Yeah. For me, and I do know there’s numerous memes about all 4 tires going off the bottom and flipping, however I have a look at it as a fantastic alternative to lock your self in (for the playoffs),” defined Preece. “It will be good to try this. Proper now, we’re solidly thirteenth in factors. We’re about 40 (factors) out of seventh once I final seemed. And there’s a fantastic alternative to not less than chase after pointing your method in however let’s be sincere, I believe it’s going to take profitable in order that’s the purpose. On the identical time, we’re going to attempt to run our races and have nice factors days when these can be found, however on the identical time, we have to go win.”
Decided to succeed
Not like a number of drivers on the grid, Preece by no means had enormous backing behind him and wanted to claw for each likelihood he is gotten behind the wheel. There are different drivers on the market like him who’ve turned heads by showcasing their expertise in flashes of greatness, serving to to propel themselves ahead into the Cup Collection. Preece has had these moments as nicely, like when he dominated a NASCAR Xfinity race at Iowa, or when he received at Nashville in back-to-back years within the Truck Collection.
Commercial
However Preece will not permit himself to really feel content material in his place on the grid, at all times preventing to go the additional mile on the monitor and off.
“The truth of it’s that this sport rewards – hopefully – onerous work,” stated Preece. “There’s numerous guys that you may take into consideration how established they have been after which one yr they’re gone and also you don’t even take into consideration them. So, that’s simply form of the character of the beast. I might say there have been key moments that helped to maintain me on this sport, like once I received Iowa. That received me one other alternative. And once I received Bristol, that received me my alternative with JTG and form of began some conversations and when that constitution was going away and I wasn’t actually certain what was going to occur subsequent – once I received that race at Nashville – that helped create conversations.
“So these are key moments after which relationships and simply attempting to be one of the best racer, one of the best particular person I might be. The perfect particular person for my sponsors…all these issues add up. There are such a lot of completely different roles you play as a race automotive driver and I really feel like I’ve worn numerous completely different hats. Once I didn’t actually know what I used to be going to be doing, I used to be sustaining, crew chiefing, doing all that with the Modified stuff. So, I received my fingers soiled. I labored actually onerous to be the place I’m. And I’m not going to be glad till I am going out and attain these targets I’ve as an individual.”
Ryan Preece, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Ryan Preece, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing FordSean Gardner / Getty Pictures
Sean Gardner / Getty Pictures
Commercial
For these attempting to observe Preece on the monitor this yr, it has been a colourful journey and never simply due to the spectacular finishes and airborne excursions. His paint schemes change consistently and this weekend, he’ll carry Celsius branding on his No. 60 Ford.
Talking extra about sponsor relationships and the way he integrates it into his ever day life, Preece stated of the Celsius deal: “What’s good about that is there’s occasions while you signify completely different sponsors and you then begin utilizing them in your on a regular basis life or having them. Like I had United Leases so I began renting their gear, however for me, once I’m within the store, caffeine is form of that factor that helps me focus or set up ideas. I like to enter my store and dig by means of these late hours.
“I’m sometimes a man who will get up at 5 within the morning and I get numerous stuff performed after which I’m into mattress by 8. I additionally do numerous my finest work in my store from 7 (am) to 10-11 (am), so it’s good to have that little pick-me-up and get on the market and never essentially thrash, however really feel I’m being productive. I really feel like I am extra productive once I drink my favourite flavors, which has been watermelon right here. We’ve had it within the hauler and I’ve preferred it so much.”
Ryan Preece, Celsius paint scheme for Talladega
Ryan Preece, Celsius paint scheme for TalladegaMotorsport.com
Motorsport.com
Commercial
All of the items are becoming collectively for Preece to have an actual run on the playoffs. The No. 60 are meshing collectively nicely, the sponsors are comfortable, and Preece is is loving working with teammates Buescher and Keselowski. He needed to attend for the best alternative for him and it looks as if he has finallyfound that with RFK Racing.
“Chris and I simply have very comparable pursuits,” stated Preece. “They’re very comparable, however they’re very completely different on the identical time. He likes off-roading and lifted vehicles and issues of that nature whereas I like lowered, quick, avenue vehicles. Something with a motor. I’m an adrenaline man. I believe we each form of have our personal methods of getting our repair – aside from racing in NASCAR. So, that’s been good simply to be round him and be lighthearted and joke round.
“You recognize, in addition to Brad. He’s our staff proprietor (and) he’s our teammate. He’s received numerous completely different hats. What I’ve preferred being teammates with him is the attitude and data and the expertise that he has. I really feel like once I was teammates with Chris and he spent three years with Brad, you’ll be able to simply see the expertise and data that he’s taken from Brad as nicely. In order that’s been very nice to be part of and actually how open Brad has been. As a race automotive driver, we’re all teammates however it’s simple to say you are gonna be a superb teammate however theres different occasions as a race automotive driver you might want to be egocentric. Brad will not be egocentric. He’s been tremendous and it’s been nice to be part of this staff and dealing with him and all these issues. He’s helped me be a greater teammate inside my staff, be a greater teammate to every of them, and people issues translate to selections we make on the race monitor.”
Learn Additionally:
To learn extra Motorsport.com articles .
