Ryan Preece

Ryan Preece is a professional American stock car racing driver who competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. He was born on October 25, 1990, in Berlin, Connecticut. As of August 2024, Ryan drives the No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing and is known for his competitive racing on the most challenging tracks in the sport.

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Preece’s racing career began in his home state and made a name for himself in the ARCA Menards series East and West. His impressive track record includes a championship in 2009 and runner-up in 2009 and 2012 in the World Series of Asphalt Tour-Type Modified. Preece also competed in the now-defunct NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.

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As of August 2024, Ryan stands in the 26th position in the Cup series, with 329 points and one top five, and is yet to get a win. Ryan's racing team for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has not been officially announced. As 2024 will be the last year for the SHR team in the Cup series, he is left without a confirmed ride for the next year. There are speculations of him landing a spot in Rick Ware Racing, but no official deal has been announced yet.

Ryan Preece’s Early Life

Ryan started racing at 17. In 2007 he came 32nd in the championship in the Northeastern Midget Association with the Bernard team. Despite the modest start, his talent was evident and he quickly gained experience and skills on the track.

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In 2008, Ryan Preece achieved his first significant milestone by securing a podium finish with a third place at Monadnock in his only Northeastern Midget race. He made progress in his racing career, by winning the SK Modified Series Championship at Stafford Motor Speedway in 2011. The win was personal for him, as it coincided with his current wife Heather being named the series Rookie of the Year.

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Ryan Preece transitioned to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, where he secured his first career victory in 2011 at the Made in America Whelen 300 at Martinsville. In 2009 and 2011 he was the runner-up in the Tour and later won the championship in 2013. The success made him a strong contender in the Modified ranks, paving the path for his progression to the higher echelons of NASCAR racing

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Ryan Preece’s Personal Life

Ryan Preece was born in Berlin, Connecticut, to Jeff and Jodie Preece. He is the youngest of three sons. Ryan grew up in a household that supported and played a significant role in his racing career. He graduated from Xavier High School in 2009 and was already involved in racing, which shaped his future both personally and professionally.

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In 2017 Ryan married his long-time girlfriend Heather DesRochers, whom he met at the Stafford Motor Speedway in 2009. Heather is also a racing driver who competed against Ryan in the SK Modified Series in 2011. Their shared love for racing has been a pillar of their relationship and together they have one child, Rebecca Marie, born on August 7, 2023.

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Outside of Racing, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family. He enjoys doing engaging activities that help him unwind from the hecticness of his racing career.

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Ryan Preece’s Family Background

Ryan Preece comes from a racing-oriented family rooted in Connecticut. His parents, Jeff and Jodie Preece have supported his racing career. Ryan is the youngest of three sons. His two brothers are Matt and Sean Preece. In the 2019 Daytona 500, his father Jeff said:

“Ryan always excelled in his work ethic, and he's reaping the rewards of that. Driving all night to get to a track or wondering how to come up with money to continue racing. He carried a burden but always handled it. And now he's with the best of the best.”

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Ryan Preece’s Wife

Ryan Preece is married to Heather DesRoschers, a fellow racing enthusiast and driver. She is from Massachusetts and has been involved in the racing world for many years. She participated in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity combine in 2009 and 2010, where she tried to secure a spot in the D4D program but was not selected in either year. Heather's love for racing brought her to Staffored Motorspeedway, where she met Ryan in 2009.

The couple competed against each other in the SK Modified Series. Ryan won the championship and Heather earned the Rookie of the Year title. Ryan and Heather got married in 2017 and have continued to support each other in their respective careers.

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Ryan Preece’s Kids

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Ryan Preece and Heather DesRochers have a daughter named Rebbeca Marie. She was born on August 7, 2023. Rebbeca has made many appearances on the couple's social media handles and her pictures are often shared by her mother on Instagram. Rebecca also features in some endorsement videos that Preece has posted on Instagram.

Ryan Preece’s Social Media

Ryan Preece is active on social media, particularly Instagram, keeping his fans updated on his racing career and offering glimpses into his life off the track. Ryan posts regularly about his personal life and day-to-day adventures alongside his racing. As of August 2024, Noah Gragson has 1045 posts on his Instagram, followed by 38,600 people.

https://www.instagram.com/ryanpreece_/

https://twitter.com/RyanPreece_

https://www.facebook.com/RyanPreeceFanPage/

Ryan Preece’s Career Stats

As of August 2024, Ryan Preece has had a diverse and successful racing career across various NASCAR series. Here are his key career stats:

NASCAR Cup Series

• Races: 129 (as of 2023)

• Wins: 0

• Top 10 Finishes: 9

• Poles: 0

NASCAR Xfinity Series

• Races: 59

• Wins: 2

• Top 10 Finishes: 20

• Poles: 1

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

• Races: 186

• Wins: 25

• Top 10 Finishes: 121

• Poles: 18

• Championships: 1 (2013)

Other Achievements

• SK Modified Series Championship: 2011

• Podium Finishes in Modified Series: Numerous

Ryan Preece’s NASCAR Records

• 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion

• 2015, 2016, 2017 World Series of Asphalt Tour-Type Modified Champion

• 2011 Race of Champions Winner

• 2012, 2014 North-South Shootout Winner

• 2015 SK 5K Winner

• 2015 Turkey Derby Winner

• 2017, 2018 Spring Sizzler Winner

• 2017 All-Star Shootout Winner

• 2018, 2020 Islip 300 Winner

• 2019 Twisted Tea Open Modified 80 Winner

• 2023 Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 Winner

Ryan Preece’s Race Wins

NASCAR Xfinity Series Wins

• U.S. Cellular 250 - 2017: Iowa Speedway - No. 20 (Joe Gibbs Racing)

• Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 - 2018: Bristol Motor Speedway - No. 18 (Joe Gibbs Racing)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Wins

• Rackley Roofing 200 - 2021: Nashville Superspeedway - No. 18 (Kyle Busch Motorsports)

Ryan Preece’s Contract

As of 2024, Ryan Preece is under contract with Stewart Haas Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. He drives car number No .41 as a full-time driver for the ongoing 2024 season.

Past Contracts

Tommy Baldwin Racing (2013 - 2014)

• Car Number: No. 8 (2013) and No. 36 (2014)

• Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series

JD Motorsports (2016)

• Car Number: No. 01

• Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series

Joe Gibbs Racing (2017 - 2018)

• Car Number: No. 20 (2017) and No. 18 (2018)

• Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series

JR Motorsports (2019)

• Car Number: No. 8

• Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series

B. J. McLeod Motorsports (2022)

• Car Number: No. 5

• Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series

Ryan Preece’s Awards

• NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion (2013)

• NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion (2016)

• NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion (2018)

• NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year (2019)

• NASCAR Xfinity Series Most Popular Driver (2020)

Ryan Preece’s Cars

Ryan Preece’s current car for the NASCAR Cup Series 2024 season is the No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro for Stewart-Haas Racing.

• From 2021 to 2022, Preece drove the No. 37 Chevrolet Camaro for JTG Daugherty Racing

• Earlier, Preece drove the No. 20 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, achieving notable success with multiple race wins.

• Preece also competed in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, driving the No. 2 Modified and establishing himself as a formidable competitor in the modified racing circuit.