The NASCAR 2025 season is about to kick off in grand style with NASCAR’s return to Bowman Gray Stadium. The action began with the qualifying runs on Saturday at ‘The Madhouse’, setting the stage for an exciting race this Sunday. This is also the season that is seeing quite a few debutants, at least on the Bowman Gray Tracks, but not Ryan Preece.

Preece is a new hire by RFK Racing and has come from Stewart Haas Racing. Taking to the tracks, he showed indomitable strength and took on a driver who was indeed giving him a hard time. Preece notably took part in a modified race at Bowman Gray to prepare for the race and it seems like ‘The Madhouse’ bug has already bitten him. Preece got into a tussle with a Legacy Motor Club driver, and let’s just say, Preece had the last laugh.

Ryan Preece takes on John Hunter Nemechek 

The qualifiers on Saturday did give a taste of what the Sunday drive is going to look like. Drivers tried to make their mark and secure the pole as the practice sessions ensued in full vigor. Ryan Preece, the new joiner at RFK Racing made sure that he justified his hire and solidified his position. Throughout the session, Preece ensured that he could maintain his momentum, and emerged successful after his qualifying runs. However, his path to the grid didn’t come without some good old Bowman Gray-style aggression.

It all started with John Hunter Nemechek pushing Preece and moving to third position. While the move was unsolicited and an aggressive stunt to climb up in position, Nemechek got it back from Preece, almost immediately. Preece bumped back at Hunter and sent him off to the barrier, ensuring that he lost out on time and had to make a restart. Announcing the same, Jeff Gluck’s post on X read, “JHN does a bump and run on Preece and Preece SENDS HIM!”. Speaking of the move he has showcased on tracks, Preece remained tight-lipped, saying, “Yeah it was just hard racing. That’s all you’re going to get.”

On how he felt about his performance, he said, “Yeah, I mean I feel really good. The fact, we were able to roll on the outside and think. If I really wanted to push the issue, maybe could have got Christopher[Bell].” Christopher Bell finished second in the 4th heat race, while Tyler Reddick took the top spot.

Preece ended the night in third position in the 4th Heat Race, which puts him at 12th on the grid for Sunday’s Clash. While John Hunter Nemechek will have to take part in a last-chance qualifier to seal his fate in Sunday’s race. The new RFK hire had started the 4th heat race from the No.6 position. Despite the constrictions on the track and the consistent attack from Nemecheck, Preece moved forward. Preece also seemed to be quite impressed with the kind of new updates that the track has incorporated with the help of NASCAR. This ensures that the safety measures are in check for maximum efficiency. 

A new SAFER barrier was added along the outside walls for enhanced safety. Along with that, the stadium has also received an upgraded lighting system and dynamic LED light display in various colors ensuring that there is no vision glare at all. Speaking of the safety measures, Preece further added, “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.”

Preece’s resilience in the heat race was evident as he fought back against Nemechek’s aggressive moves. As the race approaches, his performance has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting Sunday showdown. 

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Preece opens up on the unique fan culture at Bowman Gray

Ryan Preece is known for his love of the “Madhouse” and has often volunteered to race at the track as well. Ryan has been quite vocal about how much he loves the theatrical nature of the Bowman Gray and how it feels like a “show” every time they hit the track. Fans love the entertainment and Preece, while not fully supportive of the nature of racing, loves the fans who pack the stands every week.

Ryan Preece said, “As much as it is racing, you’re there to entertain fans… part of racing is entertaining and that’s something that they definitely still do, which sometimes comes at the detriment of their race cars… I don’t necessarily support that at all.” However, he is aware that the Bowman Gray organizers work hard to pack the grandstands with passionate fans. “But it’s different and obviously, they pack that place every single week.” 

Sometimes, the fun element of the track brings down the racing components which could act as a deterrent for the race lovers. Despite its entertainment-driven atmosphere, Bowman Gray remains a track where every lap tells a story. For Ryan Preece, this is what makes it irresistible, blurring the line between racing and entertainment.