By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer
The last four events of the season haven’t been kind to JTG-Daugherty Racing’s Ryan Preece. Preece has finishes of 34th of worse since Indianapolis. Kansas Speedway last Thursday evening marked event number four on the bad luck streak.
85 laps remained in the Super Start Batteries 400 when Preece was involved in a vicious wreck. A wreck that would see the red flag displayed. The incident started when Leavine Family Racing’s Christopher Bell and Roush Fenway Racing’s Ryan Newman made contact on the backstretch of Kansas Speedway.
Bell’s No.95 Toyota hit the wall and came down in front of Preece – ultimately, Preece and his No. 37 Bush’s Beans Chevrolet had nowhere to go. His Chevy was sent head on into the inside safer barrier, and lifted into the air before landing on all four tires on the backstretch.
Preece although frustrated, was able to exit his No. 37 under his owner power and walk away.
“To be honest with you, we had a fast race car right there at the end,” expressed Preece. “It’s frustrating for all of us at JTG Daugherty because we’ve been working really hard and probably had a top-10 car there at the end. I’m alright, just ready for this year to turn around. Thanks to Bush’s Beans, the No. 37 and JTG Daugherty – we’ll be back next week.”
Back Sunday he will be, at a track he has seen success at in racing. The NASCAR Cup Series heads to The Magic Mile of New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 2.
The track located in Loudon, NH also happens to be a home track for the Berlin, Connecticut native. In his two previous NASCAR Cup Series starts at the track, he has a best finish of 21st in the 2019 event for JTG-Daugherty Racing.
He has also made five NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at The Magic Mile, earning two top-five finishes. Preece’s best NXS finish is second in 2017 behind the wheel of the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.
However, Preece has seen the most success at Loudon in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. In 24 starts he has amassed an impressive seven top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. He has a best finish of second in 2017 after starting on the pole.
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Preece’s best finish of the season is 12th at Bristol Motor Speedway at the end of May. He currently sits 31st in the driver points standings.
Tune into the Foxwoods Resort Casino 300 from NHMS live on NBCSN on Sunday August 2 at 3:00 PM ET.
Photo Credit: Nigel Kinrade Photography / NKP Photo