Ryan Preece Speaks Out Following NASCAR's Rejection of RFK Racing Appeal

As Ryan Preece arrived at the Nashville Superspeedway for another race weekend, he carried the weight of recent events on his shoulders. Just days prior, NASCAR's National Motorsports Appeals Panel upheld a 25-point penalty and a $50,000 fine related to an incident involving Ty Gibbs at Texas Motor Speedway. This marked Preece's first public comments regarding the decision, and he expressed mixed feelings about the ruling while emphasizing the need to focus on racing instead of the past.

“I have a lot of thoughts, but I’m looking forward to racing here this weekend,” Preece stated to reporters. “It is what it is.” The ruling was a setback for the No. 60 team, particularly as the NASCAR Cup Series approaches its playoff season. However, Preece appears to be redirecting his energy towards the next 13 races rather than dwelling on the appeal's outcome.

Despite choosing not to publicly contest the panel's decision, Preece acknowledged that RFK Racing believed strongly in their case, prompting the appeal. He credited RFK president Chip Bowers for his role in deciding to move forward with the appeal process. “Chip looked at [the data] and said, ‘This is absolutely worth appealing over,’” Preece explained, expressing gratitude for the support from Bowers, crew chief Derrick Finley, and the rest of the team throughout the ordeal.

One important takeaway for Preece is the need to manage his expressions of frustration more carefully in the future. Reflecting on how he would handle a similar situation again, he remarked, “I can promise you, I wouldn’t hit that button.” He also shared insights from a discussion with RFK owner Jack Roush, noting that while drivers often use their radios to vent frustrations, he now realizes the importance of being more thoughtful in those moments.

The implications of Preece's penalty extend beyond the appeal itself, as it puts him closer to the playoff cut line at a pivotal moment in the season. Currently, he is just 15 points ahead of Austin Cindric as the regular season approaches its midpoint. Preece compares the penalty's impact to the setback of a did-not-finish (DNF) situation, yet he remains unfazed. “I’m not too concerned,” he said, highlighting that the challenge ahead motivates him to push forward rather than play it safe.

RFK Racing co-owner Brad Keselowski echoed Preece's sentiments, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation while expressing pride that all three of their cars are currently in playoff contention. “It’s nice to have all three cars currently sitting inside of The Chase line,” he noted, though he admitted that it would be more reassuring without the penalty. As the second half of the regular season begins, Preece's focus is firmly set on showcasing his skills on the racetrack rather than in the context of hearings or appeals.