Ryan Preece captured the NASCAR championship by overcoming a 31‑point deficit and climbing from 17th place in the standings after winning the Daytona International Speedway regular‑season finale.
Entering his first Chase, Preece brings optimism built on a career‑high victory in the preceding race and a stretch of three top‑10 finishes in the last five events, including lap leadership at New Hampshire and Daytona and a ninth‑place finish that showcased his ability to lead laps even while running outside the top ten.
His confidence is reinforced by the belief that the strong car performance he displayed at Loudon will translate to the upcoming Darlington race, while he acknowledges the mental toll of a challenging June that saw him struggle to find pace.
Clements makes history
Meanwhile, Jeremy Clements etched his name in NASCAR history by becoming the all‑time leader in series starts, overtaking Kenny Wallace’s previous record of 547 races and now standing at 555 starts.
The forthcoming Chase promises to be a pivotal chapter for Preece and his organization, offering a platform to build on recent momentum and contend for additional points.