By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
Ryan Preece looked to have a top-10 finish in his first trip to Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series; however, a freak accident on pit road spoiled his chances for a decent finish.
As Preece was reentering the exit lane near the grass after completing his pit stop, BJ McLeod made the hard move left to enter his pit box. Both cars collided and the radiator on the No. 47 Chevrolet began to leak fluid, which ultimately ended his day.
Preece was looking at his tachometer before the collision.
“I was looking down on my lights making sure I wasn’t speeding,” he said. “I looked up and the 52 (McLeod) and was crossing to get into his pit and slowing down. I hit him. It’s unfortunate because you don’t want to give away days like this especially for us.”
In his racing career, this is the first time he hit someone on the pit lane.
“I have never driven into someone on pit lane before,” he continued. “It sucks because it ruins our day. I am not happy with myself because it ruined our day. It’s a mistake you shouldn’t make. We will move on.”
Going forward to Las Vegas next week, Preece hopes his team can load off the truck with the same speed had at Atlanta.
Preece finished 35th.