NASCAR’s penalty against Ryan Preece has been upheld by the National Motorsports Appeals Panel, following a hearing on Wednesday, with the driver fined $50,000 and docked 25 driver points for his actions at Texas Motor Speedway on May 3.
The incident in question involved Ty Gibbs, who crashed after contact from Preece, prompting an investigation and subsequent penalty under Sections 4.3 and 4.4.A of the NASCAR Rule Book, which prohibits “wrecking or spinning another vehicle.”
Penalty Details
Preece’s comments over the team radio channel, in which he referred to Gibbs as a “fucking idiot,” were cited by the appeals panel as evidence that he had intentionally chosen not to give his competitor any breaks, leading to the collision.
The panel, comprising former Truck Series team owner Tom DeLoach, former sports marketing executive Dixon Johnston, and ex-driver Lake Speed, acknowledged that neither side had clearly proven their point, but ultimately upheld the penalty due to Preece’s comments and actions.
Reaction from RFK Racing
RFK Racing expressed disappointment with the ruling, stating that they stand by Preece and believe their argument was fair and sound, and that they appreciate the opportunity to present their case through detailed evidence and digital data.
The team has the option to appeal the decision one last time to the Final Appeals Officer process, but it appears unlikely that they will do so, with RFK Racing instead focusing on moving forward and preparing for the next race in Nashville.
Implications and Next Steps
The upheld penalty serves as a reminder of NASCAR’s commitment to enforcing rules and maintaining a safe and respectful competitive environment, and Preece will need to be mindful of his actions on the track to avoid further penalties and deductions.
As the season continues, Preece and RFK Racing will look to put this incident behind them and focus on achieving success on the track, with the next race in Nashville providing an opportunity for the team to bounce back and regain momentum.
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