Ryan Preece, a Connecticut native and NASCAR Cup Series driver, rolls into New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the season‑ending Chase race that could clinch the final playoff spot.
The Magic Mile’s Final Test
Sitting just 50 points behind Shane van Gisbergen, Preece knows that a strong performance on the 1.058‑mile oval is his only realistic path to the playoffs, especially after a 17th‑place finish at Richmond that dropped him further back.
The weekend is more than a points battle; it is a homecoming for the driver whose family‑run team has been weaving itself into the fabric of New England racing for years.
Preece’s crew includes longtime locals who have backed him since his teenage years, from the pit wall to the garage, adding a layer of community support that fuels his focus on the track rather than the numbers.
He has a deep history at the venue, having first turned laps there at 16 and capturing a Modified Series victory in 2021, and he knows the nuances of a track often called “The Magic Mile.”
The race will also revive a quirky tradition: Ryan Blaney will receive a lobster trophy on Sunday, a nod to Joey Logano’s 2009 start and a nod to the region’s seafood heritage.
Meanwhile, Christopher Bell’s squad feels refreshed after a rare schedule break, contrasting with the grueling 2025 calendar that has left many teams fatigued.
Odds currently favor Blaney at +425, with Logano and Bell close behind, while Hendrick Motorsports, the sport’s most decorated organization, last celebrated a New Hampshire win in 2012.
For Preece, the stakes are personal and professional; a strong showing could cement his place in the series and reward the New England fans who have cheered him from the stands.