Teams and fans of NASCAR took everything thrown their way to get The Clash in at Bowman Gray Stadium on Wednesday. After days of delays because for winter storms, the 23-car field took to dry pavement to start the 200-lap race. Later, it turned into a wet weather event forcing teams to finish on rain tires put on at the halfway point.
Once the record 17 caution flags gave way to a checkered flag, it was the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford of Ryan Preece claiming The Clash victory. This was his first NCS event win joining Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin as only the third driver to win an exhibition event before a points-paying race.
Ryan Preece Worked His Way to Clash Win from Back of Field
It certainly wasn’t a walk in the park for Preece and his RFK Ford team after starting in 18th place. Less than a handful of cautions took place in the early going preventing drivers from gaining needed track positions.
“Man, they all hit me,” Preece said. “I feel bad for Roush Yates Engines right now because that thing is bouncing off the chip pretty hard. I’ve got to thank Ford, Ford Racing and everybody there with all the support they give us.
“As far as emotions go, when you work as hard as I have, I hate talking about it because I hate getting emotional about it, but it’s not just the Clash – winning means everything to me. I’ve put a lot into it.”
However, once it started to rain just as the field took the halfway caution for a pre-determined eight-minute pit stop, NASCAR determined the race was now a wet weather event. This forced teams to put on Goodyear rain tires for the second half. That’s when the remaining 14 yellow flag took place for cars spinning, getting spun and thus allowing movement through the field.
Preece took advantage of his Modified short track background to negotiate his way forward on the 0.25-mile oval. He tactfully took the lead on lap 157, where he would remain and claim his first, and emotional, victory.
Short Track Prowess Paid off for Preece
Preece cut his teeth racing open-wheel Modifieds in his native New England. This racing being held at the 0.250-mile oval of BGS played to his strong points when needed.
“I’m a quarter-mile killer,” Preece said. “When it comes to this style of racing it’s what I grew up doing. I think the short track side of understanding how to not get bullied, but understand you don’t want to piss somebody off. There’s a balance. I definitely didn’t want a caution.
“I was kind of pacing myself those last 10 laps because I didn’t want to run them down and put ourselves in that position, to have to put myself in a bad position.
“We had a couple of restarts go our way and before you know it, you’re in the front two rows. I’m speechless man, those last two laps…I’m just speechless.”
Preece Held Off Multiple Race Winners Chasing Him
While he was racing his way to that first win, the driver who cut his teeth on short tracks in open wheel Modifieds had a rear-view mirror fill of talent.
Finishing second was two-time Daytona 500 champion William Byron, followed by NCS Champion Ryan Blaney in third. Race winner Daniel Suarez was fourth and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin was fifth.
“The moment to get here, it’s a lead up to the year and it’s not a points race, but winning means everything. Man, I’m just speechless.”
Of note, there were only three caution flags displayed during the first half.
Daytona Time is Next
The points paying NASCAR Cup Series season starts next Wednesday, February 11 with Daytona 500 practice and qualifying at Daytona International Speedway. That session will determine the front row for the 500 as Thursday night’s Duels at Daytona will run to see who starts where in The Great American Race on Sunday, Feb. 15.
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