A Day in the Nutmeg State
Ryan Preece, a Berlin native and NASCAR Cup Series driver, returned to Connecticut for a series of community‑focused activities that stretched from Hartford to Wallingford and New Haven, setting the stage for his upcoming races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
At the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, Preece spent time playing Mario Kart with young patients, turning the hospital’s playroom into a makeshift racetrack and brightening the day for the children receiving treatment.
Later, he headed to On Track Karting’s Go Time facility in Wallingford, where he swapped his stock car for a go‑kart and raced alongside a group of enthusiastic kids, sharing the thrill of the track in a setting far removed from the professional circuit.
The day concluded with a slice at Sally’s Apizza in New Haven, a coal‑oven pizzeria celebrated for its century‑old tradition; Preece learned about the restaurant’s history while savoring a classic Margherita, a nod to the state’s culinary heritage.
Preece’s itinerary also included a preview of the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where he will compete in the Mohegan Sun 100 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the Dollar Tree 301 NCS race, events that draw fans from across New England.
Reflecting on the outing, Preece said the blend of racing, charity, and local flavor reaffirmed his connection to Connecticut and fueled his excitement for the upcoming races, underscoring the importance of community engagement in his career.