One of the top storylines of the NASCAR Cup Series season was how Ryan Preece would fair after joining RFK during the offseason.
The renowned asphalt modified racer has been a staple in the Cup Series since 2019, however, has been unable to settle in with a race team.
Two seasons of lackluster results with now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing in 2023-’24 had many contemplating his skillset.
Even after four races into the new season with RFK, Preece had yet to finish inside the top 15. The 34-year-old was in the headlines following the season-opening Daytona 500, but for the wrong reasons due to a violent crash that sent his car flipping.
That changed on Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as he had perhaps his most complete race at the Cup Series level.
Aboard the No. 60 Ford, Preece slowly crept his way into the top 10, eventually staying there.
The final restart with 20 laps to go saw Preece restart third, fall back to fifth and then climb back to the final podium spot by race’s end.
One of SHR’s former drivers, Josh Berry, scored his first career win in the process.
It equalled Preece’s best finish at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in the spring of 2019, where he also finished third.
“Going into the season the motto is live by the fire, die by the fire and take chances, be aggressive, be on the offense and just put us in position,” Preece began. “Man, I’m happy for Josh. I really liked him when we were teammates and I’m just super proud of everybody on this Consumer Cellular Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
“I just can’t thank Jack Roush, Brad Keselowski, Kroger, Mohawk Northeast, Fifth Third Bank and the list goes on and one – Build Submarines, Castrol, for the opportunity.
“I’ve been told I’m mid (average) very often by people and I’m glad I feel Josh said he felt like himself again and I felt the same today.”
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