Ryan Preece is poised to deliver a decisive performance at New Hampshire and Daytona to close two championship gaps, his manager told him on the morning of the Superspeedway test.
Building momentum on a home track
Preece, who trails Shane Van Gisbergen by 50 points in driver standings, said the team’s mindset before New Hampshire is “offensive.” He hopes the track, his “home track,” will give him an advantage to reclaim a spot in the final round of the Cup Series Chase.
Key to the plan is a strong qualifying run. By starting from the front and filtering in stage points, Preece believes an 12th‑place finish or better can generate a “massive points day.” He expects that outpacing Van Gisbergen—or Austin Cindric—does not require a single race win, but rather a string of solid finishes.
Targeting stage points and race finish
“Qualifying up front and gathering stage points is our first priority,” Preece said. “Contending for a win is second, but the stage points give us a buffer while we edge closer to the top points positions.” The driver added that the team has been “running well” for Penske’s short‑track Ford program, reinforcing their confidence for the upcoming race.
What Preece calls a “home run” implies race‑day consistency, holding stage positions, and avoiding incidents. Because of the prior 25‑point penalty for the Texas incident with Ty Gibbs, Preece must balance both driver and owner points to overcome a 25‑point deficit for the owners’ chase behind Trackhouse No. 97.
Points arithmetic and competitive context
With those two brackets in play, Preece’s performance at New Hampshire and Daytona will serve a dual purpose. A top finish will not only add to the driver’s points tally but also align the owner’s tally with that of Van Gisbergen. “If we can take a big bite from the points gap Shane has on us, the track‑specific momentum will be the difference,” Preece noted.
Adding to the narrative, the team highlighted recent successes by teammate Austin Cindric and referenced Penske’s commitment to a short‑track win‑capable Ford line‑up, emphasizing the synergy and optimism dataset bolster the driver’s approach.
With the orbits of the championship races tightening, Preece’s ability to convert close race conditions into point advantages will define his season’s trajectory, and his manager’s “home‑run” directive signals a determined push for both standings and personal resilience.
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