DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – In his JTG Daugherty Racing debut, Ryan Preece had the opportunity to win the Daytona 500.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) driver from Berlin, Connecticut native withstood a plethora of late race cautions to find himself in contention to win the sport’s biggest race.
After hovering mid-pack throughout the event’s early and mid-race stages, Preece found himself pedaling forward as the laps dwindled down – but it didn’t come with ease.
Preece survived a Lap 192 caution which involved more than half of the field and then escaped another accident in Turn 3 two laps after the restart to find himself lurking inside the top-five for a two-lap shootout.
While Preece admitted that he was “schooled” in the green-white-checkered finish, the driver of the No. 47 Kroger Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 did hang on to finish eighth, earning his first career top-10 finish in the “Great American Race.”
“I got taken to school, to be honest with you,” offered Preece. “A lot of learning to be had, for sure. Today was a big learning day. But a really good friend of mine told me a goal is to finish. And I did just that. So, my first finish at Daytona, a top 10 for JTG and Kroger and what more could you ask for?”
Having experience in the Modified ranks and most recently the Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing, Preece said the last few laps were the most intense part of his racing career – something that he’s never been a part – but admitted, he still has a lot to learn.
“It’s intense, man. It’s something I’ve never been a part of,” he added. “So, I have a lot of learning to do, for sure. Today was the type of day that you just wanted to race around these guys and not be erratic and not do anything stupid and hopefully, when we go to Talladega or come back to Daytona, I can get a little bit more help.
“But, all in all, it’s really great for this Kroger Camaro. I’m looking forward to Atlanta next week.”
Preece will pull double-duty at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway next weekend competing in the Xfinity Series race for JR Motorsports and his second Cup race for JTG.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
