Ryan Preece is eyeing the final spot in NASCAR’s Chase, the 10‑race championship series that will be decided over the last two races of the regular season, and he currently trails Shane van Gisbergen by 50 points.
Local Roots Fuel the Push
The New England driver draws strength from a family‑owned team and a crew that includes a member nicknamed “John the Plumber,” a nod to the region’s blue‑collar heritage that has rallied behind him.
Preece’s track record at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, a venue he calls “The Magic Mile,” includes 40 NASCAR starts and a Modified Series victory in 2021 that he earned on a last‑lap pass, giving him confidence heading into the upcoming event.
The race will also feature a quirky tradition: Ryan Blaney is set to receive a 20‑pound lobster trophy that Joey Logano inaugurated in 2009, while Christopher Bell’s program arrives refreshed after a rare off week in the schedule.
Ford drivers have historically dominated the track, leading 275 of 301 laps last year and occupying three of the top four finishing positions, a statistical edge that could prove decisive for Preece as he battles for a Chase berth.
Hendrick Motorsports, which last celebrated a victory at the same venue with Kasey Kahne in July 2012, adds another layer of competition, underscoring the storied history that surrounds the upcoming showdown.