The final push
Ryan Preece, the New England‑born driver who has been a staple on the NASCAR circuit since his teenage years, is now staring down the final two races of the regular season with a single goal: lock down the last remaining spot in the Chase.
The 30‑year‑old will be back on the track that first saw him taste victory in the Modified Series back in 2021, a last‑lap pass that still resonates in the stands of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Surrounded by a crew that affectionately calls themselves “John the Plumber” and other local monikers, Preece hopes the familiar roar of the crowd will translate into the extra grip he needs.
Home‑field advantage
Sitting 50 points behind Shane van Gisbergen, the reigning road‑course champion, Preece knows that mathematics alone cannot guarantee a spot. What he does know is that his 40 previous starts at the 1‑mile oval give him a statistical edge over van Gisbergen, who has only two oval outings to his name.
Ford has been dominant at New Hampshire this year, having led 275 laps and captured three of the top four positions in the most recent event. Yet Preece insists that raw speed is only part of the equation; experience, he says, is the best predictor of how drivers will behave when the green flag drops.
A tradition on the line
The upcoming Sunday race will also see Ryan Blaney presented with a ‘Lobster’ trophy, a quirky award started by teammate Joey Logano in 2009 that has become a light‑hearted ritual for the team.
Beyond the numbers, Preece’s narrative is rooted in place. He grew up watching the New England landscape change from the bleachers of local short tracks, and that deep‑seated connection fuels his determination to add another win to a career that began on the same dirt‑covered turns he now races on at 100 mph.