Ryan Preece and RFK Racing have one clear mission as the NASCAR Cup Series season winds down: to win races and build momentum for 2026. But here's where it gets interesting — despite not being in the playoffs, their sights remain firmly set on victory.
This weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a prime opportunity. Earlier this year, Preece started 12th and impressively finished third at this very track, showing promise for another strong outing. "The mile-and-a-half tracks have become a place where I really feel like I've grown and improved," Preece shared. "I lean a lot on Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher for support and strategy. Returning to Las Vegas, I see it as a milestone — an opportunity to see just how far we can push ourselves to compete for a win. We had a solid qualifying round and made steady adjustments throughout the day. So, I’m optimistic about making more progress here."
Preece’s confidence has soared as he's become more at ease behind the wheel, which fuels his positive outlook heading into the race. Though the playoffs remain out of reach for both Preece and the RFK teams, the ultimate objective is still to grab a win. "Whether or not we’re in the playoffs, every one of our three teams is chasing that same goal — to win. That’s the plan, no doubt about it," he emphasized.
Since joining RFK Racing after Stewart-Haas Racing shut down, Preece has been turning heads with unexpected success. His No. 60 team has already claimed three top-five finishes and eleven top-10s — achievements that have surprised many in the NASCAR community. "Honestly, I think it caught a lot of people off guard," Preece admitted, "especially since this is a first-year team that had never worked together at RFK before. We've been steady and consistent, making progress even without a win yet. A victory would have clinched a playoff spot, but looking past that, I still see promising signs."
If Preece’s squad didn’t factor in the win column, they’d likely sit around 12th in points — a respectable position for a team in its infancy. "That’s a solid foundation to build on for what I hope will be a truly competitive season next year," he said. "At the end of the day, I focus on what I can control, and we've made significant steps forward. Even when faced with challenges, we find a way to perform. I believe there’s a lot of potential across the board, and that excites me about what 2026 holds."
Does aiming for wins despite missing the playoffs change how we view success in NASCAR? Preece’s approach raises an intriguing question: is consistent progress just as valuable as immediate results? Share your thoughts below!
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