'I couldn't ask for anything more' with a new team says Preece
Today at 09:44 AM
If the beginning of a NASCAR season is about establishing a foundation, Ryan Preece and RFK Racing are taking small steps now that should prepare them for long-term success.
"It's chemistry," said Preece of what his team is doing well ahead of the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "From the car chief side, within the core road crew group, they seem to all be getting along really well. Great attitudes. (They are) whatever-it-takes type of people, and that's been great. As well as our pit crew. That can be very, very instrumental in getting off pit road, not losing spots, and things like that."
After four races and two top-20 finishes, Preece is 24th in the championship standings. This is a new team for Preece and RFK Racing. The organization expanded to a third entry when Preece was hired and assembled the No. 60 Ford Mustang.
Chris Buescher leads RFK Racing by sitting 10th in the standings. Preece sits ahead of teammate and boss Brad Keselowski, who is 33rd in the standings.
"The level of 'want' to win and succeed that I see from this group is great," Preece continued. "I couldn't ask for anything more when it comes to that, to start off a new team. As far as my side, I'm doing all those little things (like) being a part of the pit practices. I've made it part of the process; being in their athletic performance center that RFK has built has been really nice.
"They have a great coach there, and it's been great. It's been pretty refreshing. That's just some of the little things so far."
There are natural differences to adjust to when moving to a new team. Preece spent the last two seasons at Stewart-Haas Racing and was not full-time in 2022, when he ran just two races. The first three years of his Cup Series career were spent with JTG Daugherty Racing.
So, change is not new to Preece. But it is an exercise in being willing to listen and learn, which he's doing now at RFK Racing. He also doesn't want to be narrow-minded. As he goes through another getting-to-know-you and fitting in with a new team, Preece is focused on learning different processes and seeing things differently.
And it's not just on the track that things are going well. Preece has been impressed not just by getting to know his new boss, Keselowski, but by his leadership skills and what the organization continues to build itself into.
"I've really enjoyed my time at RFK," Preece said.
