Ryan Preece Returns to Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing

By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Writer

After a half-season hiatus, Ryan Preece returns to the NASCAR Xfinity Series for a two-race stint with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). Preece’s first race with JGR will come at his hometrack, New Hampshire Motor Speedway(NHMS), in the No. 20 Toyota Camry on July 15.

At NHMS, Preece has one Top 10 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East competition as well as five top fives and 10 Top 10s in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. In three previous Xfinity Series starts at the 1-mile oval, He has a best finish of 14th in 2014.

Preece will also climb behind the wheel of the JGR Toyota at Xfinity standalone race at Iowa Speedway July 29. He has two previous starts at the 7/8-mile track.

Preece was excited for the opportunity with JGR,

“I am really excited about the opportunity to race for Joe Gibbs Racing and my crew chief Chris Gabehart and the whole 20 team. It seems like a great group and they obviously have a great team. I am looking forward to being a part of the 20 team and having a winning car. Now I need to put in the time, the effort, the work and get it done. I’m very excited.”

After a full season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series last year with JD Motorsports, Preece decided to return to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour for the 2017 season. In the five races that he has competed in this season, he has two wins and two top fives.

Steve deSouza, Executive Vice President of XFINITY and Development for Joe Gibbs Racing looks forward to working with Preece.

“Ryan is the latest young driver to help us with our NASCAR XFINITY Series program. He has been on fire this year with the Modifieds and we have him starting at his home track in New Hampshire for us. He is very excited about the opportunity and we are looking forward to working with him.”

In 36 Xfinity Series starts, Preece has scored one Top 10 finish which came at Darlington Raceway. In 136 Modified Tour starts, he has one Championship (2013), 17 wins, 62 top fives, 88 Top 10s, and 14 pole positions.

Now Preece will look to take full advantage of this opportunity with Joe Gibbs Racing.