By David Morgan, Associate Editor
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Ryan Preece has been disqualified following his runner-up finish in Sunday’s Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega after issues with the rear spoiler of his No. 60 RFK Racing Ford were found in post-race inspection.
Preece’s car was found to violate Rule 14.5.8.F, which pertains to the number of shims allowed on the rear spoiler. The rule reads that only two shims are allowed, while Preece’s car was found to have three.
As a result, he will be dropped to the tail end of the finishing order and his second place finish will be wiped off the board.
ORIGINAL STORY:
So close, but so far.
Ryan Preece came within 0.022 seconds of being able to celebrate his first NASCAR Cup Series win Sunday after a strong showing in the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, but once again leaves as the bridesmaid.
Coming down the stretch on an April afternoon in Alabama, it was a battle between RFK Racing’s Preece and Team Penske’s Austin Cindric to see who would claim the glory at Talladega.
Cindric would eke out ahead of Preece on the final lap to score the win, leaving Preece wondering what more he could have done for him to be able to take the trip to Victory Lane instead of his fellow Blue Oval teammate.
“You want to win. Like, that’s what we come out here to do. We don’t come out here to just be in the show and blend in. We come here to win,” Preece said after leading four times for six laps and banking his best finish of the season.
“And you know, over the past five years, I’ve done a lot of frigging losing. So, I feel like the dues are paid and I’m putting in a lot of work.”
It was THAT close! 📸 pic.twitter.com/MGULS6Ejx0
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 27, 2025
In his first season with RFK Racing, 2025 has served as a breakout year for the Berlin, Connecticut native, having scored two top-fives and four top-10’s in the first 10 races of the season.
Despite the disappointment of Sunday’s close call, he noted that it has only strengthened his resolve to silence the doubters for the remainder of the season and deliver a win for his team.
“We’re getting closer and closer. I think, you know, I don’t really know if people kind of write me off just because of the past previous years, but I think we’re proven that we’re gonna be a threat,” said Preece.
“You know, we’re gonna be a threat at short tracks. We’re gonna be a threat at mile and a half’s, superspeedways and road courses. So, you know, as a group we’re gonna keep pushing and work on the details, but I felt like we did everything right today.”
He added that being able to come home with all four wheels on the ground was also a nice change of pace given his previous history on superspeedways, but it doesn’t make the near miss sting any less.
“As a competitor and as a racer, we want to win. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy with a second because I’m not upside down,” said Preece.
“I didn’t finish 32nd, you know? I was thinking about all those things during the race. But as a racer and as a competitor, I want to win. That’s what we want to do. That’s what we come here to do. Every driver will tell you we come here to win. So, I’m proud of the second place. I’m proud of the execution all day. I thought we did a great job, you know, but I’m not gonna go home and drink beer and say ‘Hell yeah!’
He continued, noting that instead of celebrating a win with his friends, he’ll be climbing behind the wheel of his motor home for the trip back, using the windshield time to replay those final laps in his head wondering what more he could have done.
“If I won, I’d be drinking beer and celebrating friends and instead I’m gonna jump in my motor home and drive six hours thinking about what could I have done in that last half lap,” said Preece.
“When you win, it makes that ride a lot better. When you don’t win, you spend six hours thinking like, man, what would I have done different So, now there’s gonna be some what ifs when I drive home.”
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