By no means can it be said that Ryan Preece has had a good career in the higher series of NASCAR. So far, his biggest victories came at the Nashville Speedway while racing in the Truck Series. Despite not winning in the Xfinity Series, he managed to impress teams enough to give him a shot at the Cup Series. After a disappointing season in closing the Stewart Haas Racing team, he now has a second chance to continue in the Cup series.
This time it was Brad Keselowski who saw potential in the 34-year-old. It’s not something that Preece will overlook. As the team prepares to start their first season with their new driver, Preece came forth to share what his plans are with the team.
Ryan Preece aims to bring RFK to its prime again
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Ryan Preece is on a mission to help restore RFK Racing to its former glory, and with that, he wants to redeem himself from his winless streak in the Cup Series. It’s going to be a difficult task for him especially considering the fact that he finished 26th in the last season for Stewart Haas racing. Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Preece revealed how he’s approaching his role within the team and why he’s excited about the path ahead.
“I’m doing my part,” Preece explained, explaining the importance of maintaining a strong work ethic and being fully present in every aspect of the job. For Preece, success in racing isn’t just about individual effort—it’s about the entire organization working in harmony. “The side of him,” he added, referring to RFK Racing’s leadership, “involves building that team around you and giving you the opportunity to succeed. That’s something, as a three-star driver, you really want to hear.”
A huge element of Preece’s optimism comes from his reunion with Chris, his former collaborator from 2019. Reflecting on their time together, he spoke fondly of the camaraderie they shared and the promise of rekindling that relationship both on and off the track. “There’s a lot of stuff outside of the race car that we’re going to enjoy doing as well,” he said, hinting at the deeper bonds that fuel successful teams.
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But beyond personal connections, Preece is laser-focused on RFK Racing’s recent resurgence, particularly in the Next Gen era. “Even last year,” he noted, “it seemed like May, June, and July, they were so, so strong. Finishing top two, top three every week for a two-car team is massive.” It’s this level of performance that Preece hopes to build upon as the team expands to three cars. He sees his role as pivotal in providing solid feedback and helping to align the team’s efforts toward a shared goal: restoring RFK Racing’s status as a dynasty in NASCAR. Despite a string of positive performances, RFK couldn’t keep up the pressure consistently enough to fight for the Cup Series title for either.
For Preece, the challenge of working with RFK’s legendary names—Jack Roush, Brad Keselowski, and the Fenway Group—is as exciting as it is demanding. “It’s honestly a lot of fun racing for Jack, Brad, and Fenway,” he said. But he’s not just here for the fun; he’s here to pull his weight and help RFK Racing climb back to the top. So what did Brad Keselowski say about hiring Ryan Preece?
Brad Keselowski opens up about why RFK racing decided to go with Ryan Preece
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Ryan Preece’s 34-year-old is gearing up for a fresh start, driving the No. 60 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for RFK’s third Cup Series entry in 2025. While his talent is undeniable, the question remains: why did Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing’s co-owner, choose Preece out of a pool of capable drivers? Keselowski summed it up perfectly in a recent conversation with journalist Claire B Lang, saying, “I look for people who have specific talent sets…combined with work ethic.” He believes Preece checks all the boxes but simply hasn’t been in the right environment to showcase his full potential.
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With four top-5 finishes and 16 top-10s in 187 Cup Series starts since 2015, Preece is a driver who’s been on the verge of breaking out. However, his stint with Stewart-Haas Racing didn’t allow him to shine and now, RFK Racing promises to give him the tools and support he needs to thrive. Team President Steve Newmark echoed Keselowski’s sentiments, saying, “Ryan Preece is who we identified from day one when discussing this third entry. His young talent, from the grassroots level all the way up to the Cup Series, is something that excites us moving forward.”
Adding to the excitement, Preece’s new ride has sponsorship from Kroger Racing, which is bringing nearly 20 grocery brands to sponsor all three RFK entries in 2025. Interestingly, this isn’t Preece’s first partnership with Kroger. He previously drove for JTG Daugherty Racing, a team sponsored by Kroger, from 2019 to 2021. After leaving JTG to join Stewart-Haas and Kroger parting ways with the team, fate has brought them back together at RFK Racing.
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This reunion feels almost serendipitous. Preece isn’t the only driver with ties to Kroger; the company also backed teammate Chris Buescher during his JTG days. With familiar sponsors, solid teammates, and a determined leadership group under Keselowski and Jack Roush, RFK Racing seems poised to take its next big leap. For Preece, this move feels like the stars aligning. The finances are in place. The chemistry is evident. The vision is clear. All that remains is for Preece to do what he does best—drive. And if he delivers, RFK Racing might just reclaim its place as a Cup Series.
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Can Ryan Preece finally break his winless streak and lead RFK Racing back to the top?
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