Ryan Preece suffered two airborne wrecks at Daytona Motor Speedway, first in the closing race of the 2023 regular season and again in the opening event of the 2025 schedule.
2023 Daytona Flip
During the season finale, Preece was turned by Erik Jones, sending his car across the tri‑oval and airborne. The vehicle collected air and flipped twelve times before sliding to a stop.
On the “Racin’ With the Boys” podcast, the driver later described the moment as “wild.” He noted being hit from behind, moving toward the grass, then hearing a sudden silence that marked the end of the incident.
Fans expressed displeasure, and the incident is linked to the removal of grass on the track’s backstretch.
2025 First‑Race Incident
The 2025 crash in Daytona’s opening race was less dramatic yet still terrifying. Preece recalled feeling the car lift off the track and seeing only the sky as he was traveling at 200 mph, and said the shock “hurt worse.”
His shoulder remained sore for about two months, but he managed to recover and return to competitive racing.
Handling the Flip
When Preece anticipates a flip, he closes his eyes and “hopes for the best.” He believes keeping his vision open would slow the process and risk his eyes being ejected from the cockpit.
Safety Advocacy
After each accident, Preece has called for stronger safety measures, noting that aerodynamic components, like the diffuser, can turn the car into a “sheet of plywood” in windy conditions. He said the faster the vehicle lifts, the graver the consequence, and often the first thought is of his daughter.
The driver stresses that, for NASCAR professionals, a crash is a background risk that everyone accepts, but the need for continual improvement remains clear.
With two storied Dayton wrecks and a commitment to safety, Preece’s career continues to illustrate both the extremes and the resilience inherent in stock‑car racing.
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