Ryan Preece wasn’t about to back down. In a fiery Bowman Gray Stadium qualifier, the new RFK Racing driver proved that he’s ready to take on NASCAR’s wildest bullring. The 2025 NASCAR season is already delivering chaos, and Preece made sure his name was at the center of it—especially after a heated bump-and-run battle with John Hunter Nemechek.
Bowman Gray Brawl: Preece vs. Nemechek
It all kicked off when Nemechek executed an aggressive bump-and-run on Preece, sliding into third position during the fourth heat race. The move was classic short-track aggression, but Preece wasn’t having any of it.
What happened next? Payback. And it was brutal.
Preece wasted no time sending Nemechek into the barriers, making sure the Legacy Motor Club driver lost precious time and was forced into a last-chance qualifier. The moment sent shockwaves through the crowd and NASCAR Twitter, with Jeff Gluck summing it up perfectly:
“JHN does a bump and run on Preece and Preece SENDS HIM!”
But don’t expect Preece to dwell on it. When asked about the incident, he kept his response tight-lipped and straight to the point:
“Yeah, it was just hard racing. That’s all you’re going to get.”
Preece finished third in Heat Race 4, locking himself into 12th on the grid for Sunday’s Clash. Meanwhile, Nemechek will have to fight for survival in the Last Chance Qualifier.
Bowman Gray Upgrades & Preece’s Take on the Track
Despite the rough racing, Preece had praise for NASCAR’s safety upgrades to Bowman Gray Stadium, a venue infamous for its no-holds-barred, old-school style of racing.
“What I will say is that this track is going to benefit from everything that NASCAR did for years and years to come. The SAFER barriers, these guys are going to race safer, the lights really light this place up. So darkness isn’t going to be a thing. You know it’s a lot of upgrades for a local short track.”
A new SAFER barrier, upgraded lighting systems, and LED displays have transformed Bowman Gray into a safer yet just-as-intense battleground. But even with the improvements, the track’s DNA remains intact—bump, run, and retaliate.
Preece vs. Nemechek: Who’s the Real King of “The Madhouse”?
With his aggressive payback and fearless racing, has Ryan Preece already staked his claim as the new Madhouse menace?
Or will Nemechek get his revenge in Sunday’s main event—if he even makes it?
Either way, one thing is certain: Bowman Gray just got personal. Buckle up, NASCAR fans—this race is about to get wild. 🚨🔥