Ryan Preece Scores First Cup Series Victory in Dramatic Daytona Finish

Ryan Preece finally has his NASCAR Cup Series victory.

Preece captured the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night, earning his first points-paying Cup Series win in dramatic fashion. The victory also secured Preece the 16th and final spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase.

Driving the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford, Preece survived a chaotic night that included multiple crashes, overtime and a battle for the final postseason position. He entered the race 31 points behind Shane van Gisbergen for the final Chase spot, meaning Preece essentially needed to win to keep his championship hopes alive.

The night did not start smoothly for Preece. He was involved in a three-car incident at the end of the opening stage that sent him spinning through the grass and damaged his car. However, his team made the necessary repairs, allowing Preece to continue fighting for the win.

As the race reached its closing laps, Preece found himself near the front of the field. He stretched his fuel mileage and eventually moved into the lead during overtime. A late crash involving Zane Smith brought out the caution, and Preece was ahead when the yellow flag flew, giving him the victory.

Preece led just five laps throughout the race, but those five laps were enough to produce the biggest victory of his career. The race officially went 166 laps, six beyond its scheduled distance, before Preece was declared the winner.

The victory came in Preece’s 249th Cup Series start and moved him ahead of van Gisbergen for the final Chase position. Van Gisbergen finished outside the postseason field after entering Daytona in control of the final spot.

For Preece, the victory represents redemption at a track where he had experienced several frightening crashes in the past.

Now, instead of watching the Chase from the outside, Preece will enter the postseason with momentum and the confidence of a first-time Cup Series winner.

After years of waiting, Ryan Preece finally has his moment — and his championship opportunity is just beginning.