Ryan Preece Slams NASCAR Officials Over All-Star Race Penalty
Racing sensation Ryan Preece found himself at the center of controversy after receiving a penalty during the NASCAR All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The penalty, related to a ‘choose V violation,’ saw Preece being relegated to the back of the field, throwing a wrench in his bid to advance to the main event with a lucrative $1 million prize up for grabs.
The issue stemmed from Preece allegedly missing the ‘choose cone’ marking on the track, a crucial element that allows drivers to pick their preferred lane for restarts. Expressing his frustration, Preece, the driver of the #60 RFK Racing Ford, claimed he didn’t see the marking, leading to the penalty which he reluctantly accepted, chalking it up to a mistake.
NASCAR Insider Dustin Long captured Preece’s heated radio message following the penalty, where the 34-year-old driver vented his frustration, questioning the validity of the penalty given the alleged lack of visibility of the marking. Preece’s outburst was shared on social media, sparking further debate among fans and experts alike.
Despite the setback, Preece soldiered on in the 100-lap last chance qualifier, ultimately finishing in 11th place, missing out on the top spots that would have secured his spot in the main event. The top two finishers, Carson Hocevar and John Hunter Nemechek, clinched their spots in the NASCAR All-Star Race, while Noah Gragson secured the final spot through a fan vote.
As the anticipation for the All-Star Race builds up, with FS1 set to broadcast the event, Preece’s disappointment lingers. His RFK Racing teammate Brad Keselowski is poised to start from pole position, with Christopher Bell alongside him. Another teammate, Chris Buescher, will also be in the mix, starting from the 10th spot.
In a post-race interview, Preece expressed his frustration over the penalty, highlighting the imperceptibility of the orange marking in question. The seasoned driver, who previously raced for Stewart-Haas Racing, emphasized the need for clearer rules and visuals on the track to avoid such contentious situations in the future.
Looking ahead, Preece’s focus shifts to the upcoming race at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, a demanding event on the NASCAR calendar. As he reflects on his performance at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Preece remains determined to overcome obstacles and continue his pursuit of victory on the track.
With one top-5 and four top-10 finishes under his belt so far in his debut season with RFK Racing, Preece is gearing up for the challenges that lie ahead, fueled by a desire to showcase his talent and resilience in the fiercely competitive world of NASCAR.
