Countdown to Daytona 2026 - 18 Days

By Adam Carabine

Counting down the final 30 days to the 2026 Daytona 500, we are looking at last year's Top 30 drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. Today's driver: Ryan Preece

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

No. 60 Car – RFK Racing

2025 Stats

Standings	18th
Wins	0
Points	861
Stage Points	92
Stage Wins	2
Laps Led	133
Lead Lap Finishes	29
Average Finish	15.7
DNFs	2
Races since last win	N/A

What Does Success Look Like in 2026?

Ryan Preece is another driver who is still looking for his first Cup Series win.  He’s been around the block a few times, and he slummed through some years in sub-par equipment, his best year ever was last season with RFK.  He nearly matched his career total in Top-10s and Top-5s in just a single season.  Preece has been knocking on the door and success for this team in ’26 would be to help him get that important first one. 

Best-Case Scenario in 2026?

Obviously Preece getting that first win would be a good scenario.  But let’s throw in a trip to The Chase with it as well.  I don’t see Preece contending for a championship anytime soon (or possibly ever), but he was so close to the playoffs last year, and could find himself there this year without the win-and-you’re-in rule, which ended up bumping him out of the playoffs last year.

Most Likely Outcome in 2026?

I think it’s actually more likely that Ryan Preece qualifies for The Chase while still remaining winless than it is that he wins a bunch of races.  His 250^th Career Cup Series start will line up with the start of the Chase, assuming he stays healthy and starts every race.  While I’m sure he doesn’t love being winless in nearly 250 races, he’s always been a team-first guy, and would be happy to make it to The Chase whether he’s won or not.

Bold Prediction?

Preece wins two races in ’26, both of which are at tracks less than a mile long.