Ryan Preece is a professional stock car racing driver competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. Currently, he competes with the No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the Stewart-Haas Racing team.
Born in Berlin, Connecticut, USA, Ryan started his professional racing career at the age of 17 in 2007 when he competed in the Northeastern Midget Association championship with the Bertrand Team.
Ryan clinched his first championship of his career when he won the 2011 SK Modified Series at the age of 21.
Whelen Modified Tour Championships and Wins
Ryan won the 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Championship with four wins in 14 races after finishing runner-up in 2009 and 2012.
In 2014, he returned with Flamingo Motorsports, the same team he won the 2013 championship with, and won the last two races of the year, finishing runner-up in the championship.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Wins
Due to Ryan’s performance in the Whelen Modified Tour series, he was given an opportunity to drive and showcase his ability in 2013 by Tommy Baldwin Racing to race their No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro in the Nationwide Series race at Loudon; he finished 24th in that race.
Ryan's debut in the Xfinity series was somewhat underwhelming, marked by scarce opportunities for full-time driving. It took him four years from his initial Xfinity race to secure his first victory driving for Joe Gibbs Racing 2017 U.S. Cellular 250 (Iowa), achieved by clinching the top spot from pole position and successfully fending off Kyle Busch.
After that race win, Joe Gibbs Racing gave Ryan another partial schedule to drive their No. 18 car in 2018. Sharing the responsibilities to race the car with JGR’s other contracted drivers like Kyle Busch, Daniel Suarez, Erik Jones, Kyle Benjamin, and James Davison. Due to this opportunity, Ryan won his second Xfinity series race at Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 (Bristol).
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Ryan occasionally competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, driving the No. 17 for David Gilliland Racing. He raced in 12 races, winning two races in each season. Coincidentally, his only two wins in the Truck Series came at the same race, the 2021 and 2022 Rackley Roofing 200 (Nashville).
Other Championships and Wins
Though Ryan has been driving full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2019, he has not managed to win a race. But his determination to compete has not been lost as he competes part-time in various series. One evidence in this instance is his 2023 ARCA Menards Series West win at General Tire 200 (Sonoma). He also has won the 2015, 2016, 2017 World Series of Asphalt Tour-Type Modified Championships among various other competitions.
FAQ's On Ryan Preece Wins
A. Ryan Preece started racing professionally at the age of 17.
A. Ryan Preece won his first championship in 2011 when clinched the SK Modified Series title.
A. Ryan Preece won his first NASCAR Xfinity race at 2017 U.S. Cellular 250 (Iowa).
A. Ryan Preece won his second NASCAR Xfinity race at 2018 Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 (Bristol).
A. Ryan Preece has won a ARCA Menards Series West race at 2023 General Tire 200 (Sonoma).
A. Ryan Preece won his two NASCAR Truck Series Races at 2021 and 2022 Rackley Roofing 200 (Nashville).
