Preece Extends RFK Momentum With Seventh At Kansas

Ryan Preece (60) battles Josh Berry at Kansas Speedway. (Wyatt Tinsley/Race Face Digital photo)

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – RFK Racing’s momentum continued to grow at Kansas Speedway, with Ryan Preece once again showcasing speed en route to another consistent result.

Though he started from 30th on the grid, Preece powered his No. 60 Body Guard Ford Mustang to a hard-fought seventh-place finish – his fourth top 10 of the NASCAR Cup Series season.

Preece and the No. 60 team made an early statement when crew chief Derrick Finley rolled the dice on pit strategy just six laps into the race. Electing to pit for fresh tires while many others stayed out, the bold move paid off as Preece marched through the field, entering the top 10 before the first stage’s end.

He crossed the line in seventh in stage one, collecting three stage points.

“I thought we did a really good job in the first stage, and we had a really good car that was able to stay up front for most of the day," Preece said. "Once we put everything together, we’re going to be really good.”

In stage two, Preece continued to show aggression and consistency as he made a three-wide move that moved him into the top five. Even as tire wear became a factor, Preece adjusted his line to the high groove as the track took rubber. He ended stage two in 10th, adding another point to his growing tally.

A fast pit stop by the No. 60 crew helped Preece to sixth for the start of the final stage, and he took full advantage from there. Navigating multiple restarts and multiple three- and four-wide battles in the closing laps, he positioned himself inside the top five with less than 40 laps to go.

Preece’s patience paid off as he maintained his pace and crossed the line seventh, matching his second-best finish of the year through 12 races.

With the season entering its summer stretch, Preece’s confidence continues to build. Asked whether a win could be in the cards soon, the Berlin, Conn., native oozed confidence.

“Right now, I feel like we’re a threat pretty much everywhere," he said. “We almost won Talladega. We’ve had speed at intermediates. I felt like we ran really well at COTA. So, I think every weekend right now, we’re developing as a group to be a threat. It takes time, but certainly, I’m proud of where we’ve built to, the foundation that’s been laid at RFK, and I’m really excited going into the summer.”

Next up for Preece and RFK Racing is NASCAR’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway, where Preece must either be voted in by the fans to the main event or race his way in through the All-Star Open.

Broadcast coverage of All-Star Race weekend airs live on FS1, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

Action kicks off Friday afternoon with practice and qualifying for Saturday’s heat races. The $1 million-to-win finale rolls off Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET.