Ryan Preece captured his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Daytona International Speedway in the Coke Zero Sugar 400, a moment that also locked him into the playoffs for the first time in his career.
Entering the event, the Berlin‑native was 31 points behind Shane van Gisbergen, who had been projected to claim the final Chase berth. A dramatic crash at the end of stage one reshuffled the standings, but Preece kept his composure, navigating the green‑white‑checkered finish to pass several contenders and cross the line first.
A Personal Triumph Amidst Adversity
After the checkered flag, Preece celebrated with his wife Heather, their children and their dog, savoring a victory that felt like redemption after years of financial strain and skepticism from online critics.
The win comes after Preece was released from Stewart‑Haas Racing and secured a seat with RFK Racing for the 2025 season. It also restores his confidence after a challenging stretch that included a win in the non‑points Busch Clash earlier in the year, and it reshapes the playoff picture by pushing him into the 16‑driver Chase field.