At the NASCAR Cup Series finals in Phoenix, it was a bittersweet moment for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR). Drivers, crew members, and fans all came together to honor a chapter in the team’s history. As the No. 4, No. 10, and No. 14 cars lined up for a farewell photo and final lap tribute to Tony Stewart, it was a moment to reflect on all that had been achieved with the legendary team owner. However, amidst the celebration, a curious exchange over the radio hinted at some tension behind the scenes—particularly involving Ryan Preece.

As SHR’s farewell lap unfolded, Noah Gragson couldn’t help but notice something strange on the radio. “I ain’t sure where the 41 is,” Gragson said, referring to Ryan Preece, who was driving the No. 41 car for SHR. The crew chief quickly responded, “41’s on pit road,” but Gragson, seemingly surprised, added, “Give him my surprised look.” However, if you look at how Preece finished 37th, it might become clear why he didn’t want to join the rest of the team for the gesture.

The line between casual observation and something more telling was blurred, leaving fans to wonder if there was more to the situation than met the eye. Preece, a key member of SHR for the past few seasons, was noticeably absent from the tribute lap with his teammates. The fact that he wasn’t part of the iconic moment raised eyebrows, and some fans began to speculate whether this exclusion signified internal friction within the team.

The fan reactions to Ryan Preece’s apparent exclusion from Stewart-Haas Racing‘s farewell moment at Phoenix are full of frustration, speculation, and a sense of betrayal. For many fans, this was just another example of how the team had mistreated Preece during his tenure there. Let’s dive deeper into these reactions.

Fans discuss why Ryan Preece wasn’t there for the farewell lap for Tony Stewart

One fan commented, “There’s more to the story trust me. Ryan’s radio was different, listened to it yesterday, he was told not everyone was doing it. That’s also Ryan’s spotter from last year and they don’t like each other at all. The Preece disrespect from his SHR tenure is unreal.” According to the fan, Preece’s radio messages during the race told a different story—one where he was allegedly informed that not all drivers were participating in the tribute lap. They also mention a personal conflict with Preece’s spotter, suggesting that interpersonal issues fueled the feeling of disrespect. The spotter plays a crucial role for the driver.

Another fan’s response was even more blunt: “Why the f–k would Preece do any favors for SHR? They did him zero favors his entire stint there. I feel terrible for everyone who lost their jobs, but good riddance to that organization.” This fan is unapologetic, saying Preece had no reason to give anything back to SHR after the way the team treated him. They feel SHR failed to support Preece during his time with the team and, in return, should not expect loyalty from him. There’s a sense of bitterness here, with the fan expressing sympathy for the employees who lost their jobs but ultimately writing off the team.

Another fan echoed similar sentiments, saying, “Honestly, I don’t blame Preece anyway. They never gave a s–t about him.” This reaction is short but impactful, capturing the frustration of fans who feel Preece’s time at SHR was marked by neglect. For them, it seemed clear that the team didn’t care about Preece’s success, leaving him unsupported no matter how hard he worked. The fan sees the tribute lap as the final insult.

One fan pointed to a bigger picture, adding, “Preece was a Tony guy and when the Stewart checked out of SHR it got worse and in a self-fulfilling prophecy he didn’t perform.” This comment suggests that Preece’s initial connection to Tony Stewart was his biggest asset—until Stewart became less involved. According to this fan, once Stewart stepped back, SHR didn’t support Preece as much, leading to his decline in performance. Tony Stewart distanced himself from NASCAR of late. It wasn’t particularly due to issues with the team. For Stewart, his priorities were with his pregnant wife Leah Pruett and filling in her shoes for their NHRA team.

The final fan remark, “Bros already moved into RFK,” refers to Preece’s future with RFK Racing. It suggests that Ryan Preece has already moved on from SHR, finding a new home at a team where he might get a better shot at success. This comment implies that Preece has taken control of his career and doesn’t plan on looking back at his troubled past with SHR while already checking out of the team. Preece was among the last drivers to find a seat after SHR announced the end of their operations.