The Road to the Chase
Ryan Preece finds himself in a tight race for the final spot in NASCAR’s Chase, sitting 50 points behind Shane van Gisbergen with just two events left in the regular season. The New England native knows that every lap at New Hampshire Motor Speedway could swing the standings.
Born in Berlin, Connecticut, Preece grew up watching the New Hampshire track from the stands before earning his first Modified Series win there in 2021. He has raced on the New England circuit since his teenage years, building a family‑owned program that still relies on familiar crew members nicknamed ‘John the Plumber’ and others who have been with him since he was a teenager.
For Preece, the race is as much about camaraderie as it is about points. He stresses that he prefers to focus on racing rather than dissecting opponents, a philosophy that has kept him grounded throughout a career marked by local support and a deep connection to his home region.
Tyler Reddick, meanwhile, rebounded from a lackluster practice to claim pole position at New Hampshire, a performance that earned him a confidence boost from NBA legend Michael Jordan, who co‑owns his car alongside Denny Hamlin.
Josh Berry secured second on the grid, riding a wave of momentum as he looks to cement a potential ride for the upcoming season, while other contenders such as Blaney, Logano and Christopher Bell hover near the top of the odds board.
The event also carries a touch of tradition, with the ‘Loudon the Lobster’ trophy — first presented by Joey Logano in 2009 — adding a local flavor to the high‑stakes competition. Christopher Bell notes that the team’s refreshed approach after a second off‑week this season contrasts sharply with the grueling schedule they endured a year ago.
Hendrick Motorsports, which last captured victory at New Hampshire in 2012, now fields multiple entries hoping to extend that legacy, having amassed 118 wins across 28 tracks since then.